| drug name | Teicoplanin |
| classification | Glycopeptide antibiotic |
| pharmacokinetics | | absorption | Poorly absorbed orally, administered intravenously or in some cases, as a continuous infusion. | | distribution | Distributes well to tissues, including lung, kidney, and bone marrow. Concentrations in tissues can be higher than in serum. | | metabolism | Minimal hepatic metabolism; primarily eliminated renally. | | excretion | Primarily by renal excretion. Slow elimination rate. Renal impairment significantly impacts clearance. | | half life | Variable, but generally prolonged, often exceeding 24 hours, significantly longer in patients with renal impairment. |
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| suggested dosage | | adult male 25 years 70kg | | initial dose | 12 mg/kg IV every 12 hours, then adjusted based on renal function. | | maintenance dose | 6 mg/kg IV every 12 hours (or 4 mg/kg IV every 24 hours for some indications), or adjusted to maintain therapeutic drug levels in the blood. |
| | note | Precise dosing needs careful monitoring of serum concentrations. Dose adjustments are crucial in patients with renal dysfunction. |
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| indications | | 1 | Serious Gram-positive bacterial infections (e.g., severe skin and soft tissue infections, endocarditis, bacteremia, and bone infections) | | 2 | Treatment or prevention of infections due to resistant organisms such as methicillin-resistant *Staphylococcus aureus* (MRSA) or vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE). |
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| safety in pregnancy | | category | C | | details | Animal studies have shown adverse effects on the fetus, but there are no adequate and well-controlled studies in pregnant women. Use only if potential benefits outweigh potential risks. |
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| safety in breastfeeding | | details | Teicoplanin is excreted in breast milk. Safety for infants is not completely established. Use in breastfeeding women should be considered only when benefits outweigh risks, and should not be used unless benefit outweighs the risk for the infant. |
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| side effects | | 1 | Phlebitis at the IV site | | 2 | Nephrotoxicity (renal impairment) | | 3 | Thrombophlebitis | | 4 | Diarrhea | | 5 | Nausea | | 6 | Vomiting | | 7 | Pruritus | | 8 | Rash | | 9 | Stevens-Johnson Syndrome (SJS) | | 10 | Toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) | | 11 | Eosinophilia | | 12 | Leukopenia | | 13 | Neutropenia | | 14 | Serious allergic reactions |
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| alternatives | |
| contraindications | | 1 | Known hypersensitivity to teicoplanin or other glycopeptide antibiotics | | 2 | Severe renal impairment (e.g., creatinine clearance less than 30 mL/min), unless carefully monitored and dosed. |
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| interactions | | 1 | Concurrent use of nephrotoxic drugs may increase the risk of renal toxicity. | | 2 | Use with other drugs that are renally cleared can lead to drug interactions. |
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| warnings and precautions | | 1 | Monitor renal function closely, particularly in patients with pre-existing renal impairment. | | 2 | Monitor blood counts regularly. | | 3 | Closely monitor for signs of hypersensitivity reactions (e.g., rash, fever, itching). | | 4 | Infusion should be slow to minimize the risk of phlebitis. | | 5 | Doses should be reduced in patients with severe renal insufficiency. | | 6 | Use with caution in patients with a history of allergic reactions or hypersensitivity. | | 7 | Long-term use should be avoided unless the clinical benefits outweigh the potential risks. |
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| additional information | Teicoplanin is often used in situations where vancomycin is less effective or contraindicated, or when it's important to have longer duration of therapy due to its longer half-life. |
| patient specific considerations | The information provided is for general knowledge and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult with a qualified healthcare professional for personalized recommendations regarding the use of teicoplanin or any other medication. |
