The pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin in varying degrees of renal function

The pharmacokinetics of teicoplanin, a new glycopeptide antibiotic with activity against aerobic gram-positive bacteria, were characterized after intravenous administration of a single 3 mg/kg dose in five healthy volunteers and six patients with various degrees of stable renal insufficiency. Serum and urine samples were collected during a 15-day period and drug concentrations were assayed microbiologically. The mean elimination half-life of teicoplanin was 162.6 ± 69.8 hours in healthy volunteers and was prolonged with decreased renal function. The mean plasma and renal clearances of teicoplanin in healthy subjects were 11.4 ± 1.5 ml/min and 10.0 ± 1.0 ml/min, respectively. Both values decreased in patients with renal failure and correlated significantly with measured creatinine clearances (r² = 0.938 and 0.884, respectively). A nomogram for dosage adjustment in patients with varying degrees of renal failure is presented.