Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
(Microbiology)

































Therapeutic Drug Monitoring
This is essential for patients being treated with aminoglycosides (gentamicin, amikacin, streptomycin),
vancomycin and flucytosine (5-FC) : adequate peak blood levels are necessary for a therapeutic effect,
trough levels indicate whether there is sufficient renal clearance to minimise toxicity. Antimicrobial Therpaeutic Drug Monitoring may be warranted with other drugs in special clinical situations.
These include checks on compliance (rifampicin for tuberculosis), absorption (itraconazole),
accumulation in patients with renal impairment (high dose co-trimoxazole for Pneumocystis;
penicillin, teicoplanin and ciprofloxacin in severe renal failure), and adequacy of dosage
in deep-seated infections such as endocarditis, osteomyelitis, non-inflammatory or chronic meningitis,
and syphilis (especially if these are treated with penicillin, amoxycillin, or teicoplanin - drug levels
may be measured directly, or 'back-titration' against the patient's own infecting organism may be used
to determine the bacteriostatic/bactericidal levels achieved in the blood).
PLEASE NOTE: VANCOMYCIN LEVELS - From 5th October 2015, Vancomycin results are approximately 11% lower than previously reported

Investigation: Antibiotic Assay See Hospital Formulary

Inform lab before sending: See Table:

Drug

Note:

Turnround Time:

Sample Info:

Additional Info:

Amikacin

Advance warning not required unless urgent

<24 Hours

Clot Activator (red top).
Volume 5-10mls
(For neonates 0.5-2ml in a small heparin tube will suffice)

Performed by Biochemistry

Teicoplanin

Advance warning not required unless urgent

<24 Hours

Clot Activator (red or gold top)
the Gold Top sample must be received within 12hr of sample collection
Volume 5-10mls
(For neonates 0.5-2ml)

Pre dose sample is required for routine monitoring. Add-on requests for Teicoplanin is not accepted 12-hours post sample collection. Performed in Biochemistry

Gentamicin

Advance warning not required unless urgent

< 4 Hours

Clot Activator (red or gold top)Performed in Biochemistry

Tobramycin

Advance warning not required unless urgent

< 24 Hours

Clot Activator (red top).
Volume 5-10mls
(For neonates 0.5-2ml in a small heparin tube will suffice)

Performed in Biochemistry

Vancomycin

Advance warning not required unless urgent

< 4 Hours

Clot Activator (red or gold top)
the Gold Top sample must be received within 8hr of sample collection
Performed in Biochemistry

Benzylpenicillin

24 hour advance warning essential

Mon-Fri:48hrs - Reference Lab Referral

  

Ciprofloxacin

24 hour advance warning essential

Mon-Fri:48hrs - Reference Lab Referral

  

Cotrimoxazole

24 hour advance warning essential

Mon-Fri:48hrs - Reference Lab Referral

  

Cycloserine

24 hour advance warning essential

Mon-Fri:4 days - Reference Lab Referral

  

Flucytosine

24 hour advance warning essential

Mon-Fri:48hrs - Reference Lab Referral

  

Rifampicin

24 hour advance warning essential

Mon-Fri:48hrs - Reference Lab Referral

  

Moxifloxacin

24 hour advance warning essential

Mon-Fri:48hrs - Reference Lab Referral

  

Streptomycin

24 hour advance warning essential

Mon-Fri:48hrs - Reference Lab Referral

  

Others

24 hour advance warning essential

Please discuss with the laboratory

  


Specimen type: Whole Blood

Volume: 5-10 ml (For neonates 0.5 – 2ml of blood in a small heparin tube will suffice)
Ideal time to take specimen: Pre-dose levels up-to 30 mins before next dose is administered

Post-dose levels 1 hour after the dose has been administered



Labelling:
Specimens must have:

  • Unit number/A+E number or date of birth
  • Full name (forename and surname)
  • Specimen type ( e.g. Pre-dose, Post –dose or Random)
  • Date & time of collection

Request forms must have:

  • Unit number/A+E number or date of birth
  • Full name (forename and surname)
  • Date of Birth
  • Location
  • Specimen type ( e.g Pre-dose, Post –dose or Random)
  • Antibiotic dosage and frequency
  • Date and Time of collection

Transport to the laboratory: If transport is delayed then refrigerate sample.

Reference Ranges: See Hospital Formulary:

Additional information: Post dose teicoplanin levels are NOT normally indicated.

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