title: Vancomycin peak serum concentration monitoring.
abstract: Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic commonly used in the treatment of gram-positive bacterial infections. With the rising prevalence of resistant gram-positive bacterial infections in healthcare institutions and the advent of attempts to curb escalating medical cost, vancomycin is being used with increasing frequency in the homecare setting for infection management. In view of its variability in pharmacokinetics and the potential for toxicities, serum concentrations often are measured. This article reviews the pharmacology of vancomycin and suggests a practical approach to serum concentration monitoring in homecare.
authors.affiliation: Albany College of Pharmacy, New York, USA.
authors.forename: V H
authors.initials: VH
authors.lastname: Tam
authors.forename: G E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Moore
authors.forename: D M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Triller
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Briceland
mesh_terms: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003152:Community Health Nursing / Q000379:methods; D016903:Drug Monitoring / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D016908:Gram-Positive Bacterial Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing; D018718:Home Infusion Therapy / Q000379:methods* / Q000451:nursing; D006801:Humans; D014640:Vancomycin / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D014640:Vancomycin