Vancomycin Protocol RQHR

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RQHR Vancomycin Protocol
July 29/99; Revised Oct/03, May/06, Feb/07, Oct/07, Oct/08, June 2010

GUIDELINES FOR DRUG
PRESCRIBING AND MONITORING
A. PHARMACOKINETIC MONITORING/GUIDELINES/PROTOCOLS

6. VANCOMYCIN PROTOCOL

a) Adults: Part I General Overview

CERTIFICATION
RQHR pharmacists must be certified as per current policy prior to independent
utilization of this protocol. Pharmacists not certified must gain approval from a
certified pharmacist prior to making any recommendations. Deviations from this
protocol must be well substantiated, documented in the patient chart and
discussed with the patients physician.

PROCEDURE
1. The physician may request the vancomycin monitoring service by writing
Pharmacy consult or Pharmacy consult - Full authority on the patients
chart. Once consulted, the pharmacist follows the patients progress until the
vancomycin is discontinued.

2. The pharmacist is responsible for ordering vancomycin levels and other
monitoring parameters as indicated in this protocol.

3. Vancomycin is administered by intermittent I.V. infusion with the infusion
lasting approximately one hour. Intramuscular injections are not
recommended.

4. The pharmacist provides initial dosage recommendations based on dosing
guidelines for vancomycin and/or interpretation of serum levels.

5. If the physician writes Pharmacy consult - Full authority the pharmacist
may change the dosage regimen without contacting the physician, otherwise
the pharmacist will first contact the physician to discuss. If the physician is
unavailable, however, a chart note is left and the physician contacted the
following day.

Any PRINTED version of this document is only accurate up to the date this document was developed. RQHR can not guarantee
the currency or accuracy of any printed policy. RQHR accepts no responsibility for use of this material by any person or
organization not associated with RQHR. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form for publication without
permission of RQHR.
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Page 2 of 15

6. Whether or not a change in the dosage regimen is required, the pharmacist
must provide documentation in the patient progress section of the chart.
7. In order to calculate an initial dosing regimen and to monitor therapy
optimally, the following information is desirable:
Age
Sex
Height & Weight*
Creatinine/Blood urea nitrogen*
CBC with differential*
Temperature
Concomitant antibiotics, ototoxins/nephrotoxins
Culture & sensitivity reports
Ins and Outs (I/O)
*A pharmacist may order serum creatinine, BUN, body weight and CBC with
differential for patients covered under this protocol.

8. Documentation - The pharmacist documents all interventions (dosing, levels,
phone calls, etc.) in the patient progress section of the chart.

9. Monitoring refer to Part II
Serum Creatinine/BUN
Serum levels - Whenever possible, levels will be ordered at times when
the laboratory is well staffed (i.e. 0800-1600 hours)
Pharmacy Patient Monitoring Form a pharmacist completes this for
each patient and reviews daily. Additional monitoring parameters are:
Daily
Temperature (highest in last 24h)
Ins/Outs
Concomitant antibiotics and potential nephrotoxins
Twice weekly: CBC with differential
Weekly: Weight

10. Follow-up Therapy
Follow-up on the patients clinical status (i.e. response to therapy, changes in
renal function), C & S results and duration of vancomycin therapy.

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b) Adults: Part II Dosing of Vancomycin

Empiric Dosage Regimen
Dose: 15mg/kg* Total Body Weight (Round to the nearest 250mg; Maximum 3g
per dose)
* Generally, there is no advantage of giving a loading dose as vancomycin
kills bacteria in a time-dependent manner vs the concentration-dependent
manner of aminoglycosides or fluoroquinolones.
*Exceptions: Give a loading dose of 25mg/kg (Round to the nearest 250mg;
Maximum 3g per dose) in the following patients:
Chronic renal failure (CRF) patients have significantly larger average
volumes of distribution; continue empiric dosing as follows:
< 75kg, give 500mg in last hour of each dialysis
75kg, give 750mg in last hour of each dialysis
Also refer to sections 4.4 and 4.5.

Continuous Ambulatory, or Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD or
CCPD): Repeat the loading dose of 25mg/kg q5days for 2 3 weeks
therapy; refer to sections 4.4 and 4.5 for serum level recommendations.
[References: Blunden M, et al; Nephrol Dial Transplant 2007; 22:1714-1719 and ISPD
Guidelines/ Recommendations 2005 Update in Peritoneal Dialysis International; 2005
(March); 5:107-131.]

Patients with serious MRSA infections (e.g. endocarditis, septic): May
consider a loading dose, although this is NOT currently supported by large
randomized clinical trials. Subsequent dosing and levels as indicated
below.

Interval: based on the patients estimated creatinine clearance
Note: If patients are borderline to an interval change, repeat serum creatinine to
ensure a shorter interval is not more optimal e.g. patients who may be
dehydrated on admission, once hydrated will clear vancomycin faster)

* Estimated Cl
cr
(140 - age) x 90 Scr (mmol/L); x 0.85 for females
Clcr*
(mL/min)
80 50 - 79 35 - 49 25 - 34 < 25mL/min
Interval q12h q24h q36h q48h
Order 1
st
dose as above;
dosing interval based on
trough level
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2. Infusion Rate
Maximum Rate of Infusion: 15mg/min to minimize thrombophlebitis and red
man syndrome
Dose
Minimum
Infusion Time*
1g 1 h
1.25 - 1.5g 1.5 h
1.75 - 2g 2 h
2.25 - 3g 3 h
* May increase infusion time if patient has a reaction

Renal patients: if administering during last hour of dialysis, the dose is administered in a syringe
via a Bard pump (Refer to Bard guidelines on Intranet, under Nursing/Pharmacy Committee)

3. Concentration
Maximum Concentration 5mg/mL to minimize infusion-related side effects such
as thrombophlebitis and red man syndrome. Suggested concentrations:
500mg in 100mL
> 500mg - 1.25g in 250mL
1.5 - 2.5g in 500mL

4. Monitoring
4.1 Serum Creatinine
Baseline, then at least ONCE weekly while in hospital, or every 1-2 weeks
if therapy continues at home, and if patient not on an aminoglycoside or
other nephrotoxic agent. If stable and patient to be on therapy
indefinitely, may decrease to qmonthly.
More frequent Scr monitoring required if changing renal function or
concomitant nephrotoxic agent(s)

4.2 Vancomycin Serum Levels
NOTE: There is no evidence to suggest peak serum concentrations have any
bearing on efficacy as vancomycin exhibits time-dependent killing of bacteria.
Peak levels are difficult to determine due to slow distribution into peripheral
tissues and are not supported.

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Vancomycin trough levels should be obtained for the patients/situations
listed below. To ensure steady state has been achieved, draw a trough level
30 minutes prior to 4
th
dose (i.e. after the 3rd dose), unless otherwise
indicated.
Concurrent aminoglycoside, or other nephrotoxic agents (e.g. some
chemotherapy regimens, amphotericin, cyclosporine A, etc.)

Anticipated therapy > 5 days
Infants & children with serious infections (e.g. meningitis, osteomyelitis)
Cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections, meningitis
Deteriorating/unstable renal function (e.g. Scr >25% above baseline) For
dialysis patients, refer to Sections 4.4 and 4.5.
Patients with rapid clearance of drug (e.g. cystic fibrosis, burns >20% BSA)

In the following situations, obtain a serum trough level before 2
nd
dose (i.e. after
the 1
st
dose) to avoid overestimation in obese patients, and to ensure trough level
is likely to be >10-15mg/L; repeat trough level at steady state (e.g. after 3 or 4
doses)
Morbidly obese patients ( 190% IBW)
Patients receiving 4g vancomycin per day, or 3g per dose
Patients with a desired target trough concentration of 15 - 20mg/mL

Additional trough vancomycin levels should be obtained ONCE weekly for
hemodynamically stable inpatients and q1 2 weeks for outpatients. If stable
and on therapy indefinitely, may decrease levels to qmonthly, but ensure to
regularly confirm patients weight.

4.3 Adjustments Based On Vancomycin Serum Levels
Previous literature suggested trough concentrations of 5 10mg/L were
desirable for optimal therapeutic response, however, recent evidence suggests
trough levels should always be maintained above 10mg/L to avoid the
development of resistance. This coincides with the 2006 Clinical and Laboratory
Standards Institute (CLSI) lowering vancomycins susceptibility breakpoint to
isolates with a MIC 2mg/L (previously 4mg/L).

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Less seriously ill patients, refer to the following table:
(NOTE: Refer to next page for patients requiring a higher target range)
SERUM TROUGH (C
MIN
) DOSAGE ADJUSTMENT*
<10 mg/L and interval greater
than q12h
Decrease interval by 12h increment
(e.g. if q36h, change to q24h; if q24h, change to q12h)
<10 mg/L and on
q12h
Increase interval to q8h, or
consider alternative therapy if possible
10 15 mg/L No change (desired level)
>15mg/L
Increase interval by 12h increment
(e.g. if q12h, change to q24h; level will be approx.
halved), or
consider alternate therapy if possible

However, desired trough levels may need to be higher in patients with new,
worsening, or persistent signs/symptoms of infection (e.g. fever, leukocytosis)
receiving at least 5 days of vancomycin, or in seriously ill patients (e.g. bacteremia,
endocarditis, osteomyelitis, meningitis, and hospital-acquired pneumonia caused by
S. aureus). However, larger vancomycin doses (4 or more grams per day) are
associated with increased nephrotoxicity and benefits should outweigh the risks.
Reference: Lodise et al. Antimicrobial Agents & Chemotherapy 2008 (April); 52
(4):1330-1336.

Alternatively, other agents should be considered. (e.g. as per C&S results, or
linezolid if indicated).

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For patients requiring HIGHER target trough levels, use the following table:

SERUM TROUGH (C
MIN
) DOSAGE ADJUSTMENT*
< 15mg/L and interval
greater than q12h
Decrease interval by 12h increment
(e.g. if q36h, change to q24h; if q24h, change to q12h, however, please note
the subsequent trough level will approx. double)
< 15mg/L and on
q12h
Increase interval to q8h, or
consider alternative therapy if possible

15 20mg/L

No change (desired level)
>20 mg/L
Depending on clinical situation and response, consider increasing interval
by 12h increment
(e.g. if q12h, change to q24h, however please note the subsequent trough
level will be approx. halved), or consider alternate therapy if possible

4.4 Renal Failure Patients - NOT Critically Ill
As previously indicated, patients with renal failure have significantly larger
volumes of distribution and their limited clearance necessitates the use of higher
than usual serum levels to ensure adequate killing of the organism. If possible,
consider alternative, less toxic agents if required long term (e.g. >10 days).

Hemodialysis
No levels required unless no improvement on empiric dosing. If required, draw a pre-dialysis
level and adjust as follows:
< 10mg/mL, increase dose during last hour of dialysis by 250mg
10 15mg/L, no change
> 15mg/L, decrease dose during last hour of dialysis by 250mg

Continuous Ambulatory or Cycling Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD or CCPD)
Draw a level on Day 5 with morning blood work and adjust as follows:
< 12mg/L, increase frequency to every 3 days
12 - 25mg/L, no change
> 25mg/L, decrease frequency to every 7 days

Unstable renal function and NOT on scheduled hemodialysis
Draw random vancomycin level q2 - 3days. Re-dose with 15mg/kg dose when random level
<12mg/L.

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4.5 Renal Failure Patients
(e.g. patients with fulminant infection, septic, on inotropes, etc. resulting in need
for intermittent or abbreviated dialysis).
Critically ill patients may temporarily require continuous renal replacement
therapy (CRRT), or hemodialysis on a daily or prn basis and may switch between
the various dialysis modalities. These patients may have changes in protein
binding, blood pH, renal function, fluid status, etc. requiring more frequent
monitoring to ensure vancomycin levels remain optimal as much as is possible.

NOTE: Given the molecular weight and variability in protein binding of
vancomycin, it is assumed all forms of CRRT more effectively remove
vancomycin than conventional hemodialysis.

The various forms of CRRT are:
Slow Continuous Ultrafiltration (SCUF) and Continuous Venovenous
Hemofiltration (CVVH) utilize only a convective process and are
relatively inefficient at clearing vancomycin and other drugs.

Continuous Venovenous Hemodialysis (CVVHD) and Continuous
Venovenous Hemodiafiltration (CVVHDF) combine convective and
diffusive techniques to remove solutes and fluid. In critically ill patients
renal therapies may include CRRT or hemodialysis on a daily or prn basis
and patients may switch between the various dialysis modalities during
the course of their treatment. Generally speaking, critically ill patients
receiving CRRT have larger volumes of distribution (Vd) than non-ICU
patients or ICU patients with normal renal function. Critically ill patients
also have variable protein binding, changes in blood proteins, frequent
fluid shifts and pH changes. Due to these factors steady state vancomycin
serum levels are unlikely to be achieved. As well, patients on CRRT and
hemodialysis may accumulate vancomycin requiring lower doses over
time. Based on this, vancomycin levels in these patients are monitored
frequently to ensure the troughs remain high enough without being
excessively high.

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1. Calculate loading dose of vancomycin 25mg/kg (Round to the nearest
250mg; Maximum 3g per dose)
2. Write an order in the chart for Vancomycin level daily with morning
blood work. Pharmacist to order vancomycin dose based on daily
level.
3. Enter in Pharmacy computer system as Vancomycin as Per Daily
Pharmacist Order
4. Based on the daily level, order vancomycin as indicated in table below.
Daily Vanco
Level
Hemodialysis* (HD) CRRT
< 15mg/L
< 75kg: 750mg x1
75kg: 1g x1
Re-dose immediately with
20mg/kg x1
15 - 20 mg/L
If HD expected in next 24h:
< 75kg: 500mg x1
75kg: 750mg x1
15mg/kg x1
> 20 mg/L No dose required No dose required
* It is NOT necessary to administer the vancomycin during the last hour of hemodialysis as
this is not always possible. NOTE: Once a patients dialysis routine has stabilized (i.e. 96 hours
with same dialysis plan), daily vancomycin levels can stop and Section 4.4 followed thereafter.

NOTE to RQHR Pharmacists: Use the Pharmacy CRRT Antibiotic Monitoring
form and document in the chart as follows:
An initial progress note must be written by the pharmacist for patients
starting CRRT. Thereafter, a daily vancomycin order will be written prior
to 16h, whether or not a dose is required (eg: No vancomycin today or
Give vancomycin 1g IV x1 today, etc.

c) Pediatrics (Infants & Children 12yo): Part I - General Overview

Note: There is no official RQHR Pediatric protocol, however, the following is
offered as a guideline for those with normal renal function.

Any PRINTED version of this document is only accurate up to the date this document was developed. RQHR can not guarantee the
currency or accuracy of any printed policy. RQHR accepts no responsibility for use of this material by any person or organization not
associated with RQHR. No part of this document may be reproduced in any form for publication without permission of RQHR.
RQHR FORMULARY

Page 10 of 15
1. The physician may request the vancomycin monitoring service by writing
Pharmacy consult or Pharmacy consult - Full authority on the patients
chart. Once consulted, the pharmacist follows the patients progress until the
vancomycin is discontinued.

2. The pharmacist will first contact the physician to discuss any issues which
arise re: vancomycin dosing. If the physician is unavailable, however, a chart
note is left and the physician contacted the following day.

3. Documentation: Whether or not a change in the dosage regimen is required,
the pharmacist must provide documentation in the patient progress section of
the chart.

4. Monitoring:
Serum Creatinine/BUN
Serum levels - Whenever possible, levels will be ordered at times when
the laboratory is well staffed (i.e. 0800-1600 hours)
Pharmacy Patient Monitoring Form a pharmacist completes this for each
patient and reviews daily.

5. Follow-up Therapy:
Follow-up on the patients clinical status (i.e. response to therapy, changes in
renal function), C & S results and duration of vancomycin therapy.

d) Pediatrics (Infants & Children 12yo): Part II Dosing of Vancomycin

1. Empiric Dosage Regimen (Round to nearest 25mg)
Mild Moderate Infections: 10mg/kg q6h (i.e. 40mg/kg/day q6h)
Serious Infections: 10 -15mg/kg q6h (i.e. 40 - 60mg/kg/day q6h)
CNS Infections: 15mg/kg q6h (i.e. 60mg/kg/day q6h)

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2. Infusion Rate
Refer to BARD infusion chart
Maximum Rate of Infusion: 15mg/min to minimize thrombophlebitis
and red man syndrome
May increase infusion time if patient has a reaction

3. Concentration
Refer to BARD infusion chart
Maximum Concentration: 5mg/mL to minimize infusion-related side
effects such as thrombophlebitis and red man syndrome.

4. Monitoring
4.1 Serum Creatinine
Baseline, then ONCE weekly while in hospital, or every 7-14 days if
therapy continues at home and if patient is not on an vancomycin or
other nephrotoxic agents. May decrease to qmonthly if stable & patient
on therapy indefinitely.

More frequent Scr monitoring required if changing renal function or
concomitant nephrotoxic agents

Additional monitoring parameters, if possible are:
Daily:
Temperature (highest in last 24h)
Ins/Outs
Concomitant antibiotics and potential nephrotoxins
Twice weekly: CBC with differential
Weekly: weight

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4.2 Vancomycin Serum Levels
Suggested for the following patients*:
On concurrent aminoglycoside
Anticipated therapy >2 weeks
Infants & children with serious infections
Cerebrospinal fluid shunt infections, meningitis
Deteriorating/unstable renal function (e.g. Scr >25% above baseline)
Patients with rapid clearance of drug (e.g. cystic fibrosis, burns >20%
BSA)
Selected dialysis patients only (see Adults section)

* To ensure steady state has been achieved, draw trough level 30 minutes prior to 4
th
dose

Trough: 5 - 12mg/L
May increase to 15mg/L for CNS infections
Additional trough vancomycin levels ONCE weekly for inpatients and
q7-14 days for outpatients. If stable and on indefinite therapy, may
decrease to qmonthly.

In serious infections may also obtain a peak level 1h after infusion
completed.

If required, Desired Peak = 20 - 40mg/L

e) Neonatal: Dosing Regimen and Monitoring Protocol (Revised May, 2003)

No need for loading dose as vancomycin kills bacteria in time-dependent
manner vs. the concentration-dependent manner of aminoglycosides or
fluoroquinolones.

Minimum infusion time is 1 hour to minimize infusion-related side effects
such as thrombophlebitis and red man syndrome

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The following regimen is based on adequate renal function (urine output
>2mL/kg/h). In infants with poor renal function the dosing interval may
need to be increased.

DOSE = 10mg/kg

INTERVAL based on postconceptual (PCA) and postnatal age (PNA) as
indicated below:

PCA
(weeks)
PNA
(days)
Interval
0 - 14 q18h
29
> 14 q12h
0 - 14 q12h
30 - 36
> 14 q8h
0 - 7 q12h
37 - 44
> 7 q8h
45 All q6h
Monitoring:
Vancomycin Serum Levels
Peak & trough levels day 3 of therapy
Trough: 0 - 60 minutes prior to administration of the next dose.
Peak: At least 60 minutes following the end of a 1-hour infusion
If earlier levels are required, peak and trough levels may be drawn around
the 4
th
dose
Repeat peak & trough levels should be drawn on 3
rd
day following a dosage
change. If earlier levels are required, they may be drawn around the 4
th
dose
following the change.
In stable infants on vancomycin for long-term therapy (10 days) additional
trough vancomycin levels may be drawn once weekly. Peak levels may be
drawn if desired when the trough level falls outside the desired range.

Target Trough Levels Target Peak Levels
5 12 mg/L 20 - 40 mg/L
Trough levels as high as 15 mg/L may be desired in patients with CNS
infections or with a second positive blood culture
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Additional Monitoring Guidelines:

Monitoring Parameter Frequency
BP Pre, mid, & post infusion
Urine output (mL/h) Daily
Serum Creatinine & BUN Baseline, then consider
q3 days

More frequent monitoring of serum creatinine may be indicated if
changing renal function or concomitant nephrotoxic agents (i.e.
vancomycin, indomethacin).

Consider repeating CBC with differential based on patient status

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REFERENCES

1. Rybak M et al. Therapeutic monitoring of vancomycin in adult patients: A
consensus review of the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists, the
Infectious Diesese Society of American and the Society of Infectious Disease
Pharmacists; Am J Health-Syst Pharm. 2009;66:82-98.

2. Ackerman BH, Clinical value of monitoring serum vancomycin concentrations
(letter) Clin Infect Dis 1994;19:1180-81.

3. Ackerman BH, Vannier AM, Necessity of a loading dose when using vancomycin
in critically ill patients. (letter) ?J Antimicrob Chem, 1991:460-61.

4. Barth RH, DeVincenzo N. Use of vancomycin in high-flux hemodialysis:
experience with 130 courses of therapy.Kiney Int 1996(50):929-936.

5. Blondel-Hill, E, Fryters, S. Bugs & Drugs: Antimicrobial pocket reference 2001

6. Cantu TG et al. Serum vancomycin concentratins: reappraisal of their clinical
value. Clin Infect Dis 1994;18:533-43.

7. Matzke Gary R. Chapter 15: Vancomycin, in Applied Pharmacokinetics, 3
rd
Ed,
Evans WE et al (Editors), Applied Therapeutics, Inc. Vancouver, WA, 1992.

8. Moellering Jr. RC. Editorial: Monitoring serum vancomycin levels: climbing the
mountain because it is there? Clin Infect Dis 1994;18:544-6.

9. Pediatric Drug Dosage handbook, 8
th
Edition, Winnipeg Health Sciences

10. Rybak MJ et al. Nephrotoxitiy of vancomycin, alone and with an vancomycin. J
Antimicrob Chem (letter) 1990;25:679-87.

11. Sabath LD. Vancomycin dosing in life-threatening Staphylococcal infections: Need
for measuring and achieving high peak serum levels (Abstract) 39
th
Interscience
Conference ion Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy (ICAAC), Sept 26-29,
1999, San Francisco, CA

12. Saunders NJ. Why monitor peak vancomycin concentrations? Lancet
1994;344:1748-50.

13. University Health Network, Guidelines for Antimicrobial Use, Spring, 2001,
Toronto.

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