title: Analyses of teicoplanin concentrations from 1994 to 2006 from a UK assay service.
abstract: Objectives An analysis of the trough serum concentrations sent to the UK Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory for teicoplanin therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM). Methods All trough concentrations over a 13 year period were analysed and the percentages were calculated for the following: <10 mg/L (a sub-optimal concentration for all); ≥10-<20 mg/L (the target used for ordinary Gram-positive infections); ≥20-<60 mg/L (the target for all severe staphylococcal infections including endocarditis); and ≥60 mg/L (the concentration associated with toxicity). Results The percentage of patients with concentrations of <10 mg/L decreased each year to 13% in 2006. Almost 40% of the samples each year were in the ≥10-<20 mg/L range. In 1996, the percentage of samples in the ≥20-<60 mg/L range reached a study high of ∼70%. That percentage then fell to 30% and increased slowly to 50% at the end of the study. Fewer than 5% of the samples were ≥60 mg/L. Conclusions Our study shows that there is a need to increase the initial dose or extend the number of days that the loading dose is used in a significant number of patients. With such a wide optimal range and a low potential for toxicity, it is unclear why optimal therapy is not achieved in a higher percentage of patients.
authors.affiliation: Antimicrobial Reference Laboratory, Department of Medical Microbiology, Southmead Hospital, Bristol, UK.
authors.forename: C M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Tobin
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Lovering
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Sweeney
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: MacGowan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D044967:Serum / Q000737:chemistry; D017334:Teicoplanin / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000032:analysis / Q000493:pharmacokinetics*; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D017334:Teicoplanin