Antimicrobials
Vancomycin (parenteral)

Vancomycin (parenteral)

None
N/A
$40/day

Spectrum of Activity

General Information

Suspected or proven MRSA, coagulase-negative Staphylococcal infections, Enterococcal infections

When to check serum levels: Only check level for patients in whom it is anticipated that they will be requiring therapy with vancomycin for longer than 48 hours. Check pre-level at steady state (usually prior to the 4th dose) within 30 minutes before the next dose and with dosage changes, and weekly for courses more than 10 days

Target serum levels: 15 to 20 micrograms/L for CNS infections, endocarditis, osteomyelitis and MRSA infections. 5-15 micrograms/L for highly susceptible infections ie coagulase negative Staph bacteremia. 10-20 micrograms/L for MSSA infections

Monitor serum creatinine and urine output throughout therapy.

Red man syndrome (histamine release- slow down infusion), nephrotoxicity, cytopenias.

Aminoglycosides may potentiate nephrotoxicity

Use caution and increase monitoring of renal function when used with concomitant nephrotoxins.

Antimicrobial class: glycopeptide

Average serum half life: Newborns: 6 to 10 hours. Infants and Children 3 months to 4 years: 4 hours. Children and Adolescents >3 years: 2.2 to 3 hours

Route of Elimination: Primarily via glomerular filtration; excreted as unchanged drug in the urine (80% to 90%)