Vancomycin intravenous dosage

Pharmacokinetics Slow intravenous infusion is employed for treatment of systemic infections or for prophylaxis. Because vancomycin is not absorbed after oral administration, this route is only employed for the treatment of antibiotic-induced colitis due to Q difficile. Inflammation allows penetration into the meninges. Metabolism is minimal 90-100 % is excreted by glomerular filtration. [Note Dosage must be adjusted in renal failure since the drug will accumulate. Normal half-life is 6-10 hours compared to over 200 hours in end-stage renal disease.]... 

Vancomycin requires multicompartment models to completely describe its serum-concentration-versus-time curves. However, if peak serum concentrations are obtained after the distribution phase is completed (usually V2 to 1 hour after a 1-hour intravenous infusion), a one-compartment model can be used for patient dosage calculations. Also, since vancomycin has a relatively long half-life compared with the infusion time, only a small amount of drug is eliminated during infusion, and it is usually not necessary to use more complex intravenous infusion equations. Thus simple intravenous bolus equations can be used to calculate vancomycin doses for most patients. Although a recent review paper questioned the clinical usefulness of measuring vancomycin concentrations on a routine basis, research articles" " have shown potential benefits in obtaining vancomycin concentrations... 

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