Pediatric Dosing of
Aminoglycosides and
VancomycinBased on
Pharmacokinetic Concepts
Marie Varela, Pharm.D., BCPS
ShereneSamu, Pharm.D.
1
Objectives
Describe basic pharmacokinetic parameters for
vancomycinand aminoglycosides in pediatric patients
Outline dosing strategies for aminoglycosidesbased
on pharmacokinetic principles
Outline dosing strategies for vancomycinbased on
pharmacokinetic principles
Select a monitoring plan for vancomycinand
aminoglycosides in pediatric patients
Select an adjusted dosing regimen based on serum
concentrations for vancomycinand aminoglycosides in
pediatric patients
2
Pharmacokinetics
Definition:
The study of the time course of a drug and its
metabolites in the body
The study of the ADME of a drug and its
metabolites in the body
Absorption
Distribution
Metabolism
Excretion
Varies greatly with age groups (pediatrics,
geriatrics)
3
Volume of Distribution
4
Excretion
Because of the PK and PD characteristics
of vancomycinand aminoglycosides, the
clearance of these drugs is closely
correlated to creatinineclearance
5
Estimation of CreatinineClearance
Schwartz Estimate
Estimates creatinineclearance
from serum creatinine, the
patient's height, and a
proportionality constant
CrCl= (k * Ht) / Cr
(Caution: formula tends to
overestimate the actual
creatinineclearance and
should be used with caution.)
http://www-users.med.cornell.edu
Htheight in
centimeters
Crserum creatinine
KConstant:
(see below)
Infant (LBW < 1
year)
0.33
Infant (Term < 1
year)
0.45
Child or Adolescent
Girl
0.55
Adolescent Boy 0.70
6
Elimination Half-life (t½)
Associated with first-order kinetics (serum
concentration diminishes logarithmically
over time)
Time it takes for plasma concentration to
reach half of a previous concentration
Affected by metabolism and excretion
Most drugs follow first-order kinetics
(including aminoglycosides and vanco)
7
Steady State
Equilibrium reached:
Rate of drug in=Rate of drug out
Time to reach steady state is a function of t½
t½ % of Steady State Achieved
1 50%
2 75%
3 87.5%
4 93.75%
5 100%
8
PharmacodynamicConcepts Affecting
Dosing and Monitoring of
Aminoglycosidesand Vancomycin
Organism (Gram + vs. Gram -)
MIC of organism
Site of infection
Dose-response relationships of Abx
Concentration vs. time dependent bactericidal
activity
PAE
10
Concentration Dependent
Aminoglycosides
CONCENTRATION dependent killing
Maximize INTENSITY of exposure
As concentration at site ↑, antimicrobial action ↑
More pronounced responses to dosage
adjustments
11
IV Vancomycin
Initial Neonatal Dosing SBUH
PMA
(weeks)
Postnatal (days) Interval
≤ 29 0 to 14
> 14
18
12
30 to 36 0 to 14
> 14
12
8
37 to 44 0 to 7
> 7
12
8
> 44 All 6
Dose: 10 to 15 mg/kg/dose*
(*This dosing strategy targets a trough of 5-15, therefore 15 mg/kg/dose is preferred.)
Reference: Neofax
Vancomycin
Expected Half-Life
(Population Statistics)
Age t
1/2
Neonates6 to 10 hrs
Infants3 to 4 hrs
Children2.2 to 3 hrs
Adults Normal renal function: 5-11 hr
End stage renal: 5 to 7 days
Clearance approximately equal to CrCl (≈ 5% metabolized)
19
IV Vancomycin
Dosing Strategies
Due to pharmacodynamiccharacteristics,
optimal give more frequently
Want trough to remain in therapeutic range;
peak inconsequential
For renal impairment, reduce frequencies
21
When to Monitor?
At presumed steady state
Upon initiation of therapy
After a dosage/frequency adjustment
Upon significant change in weight, fluid status, renal
function
After addition of a medication that may affect renal
function (i.e. Ibuprofen)
Every week after achieving therapeutic serum
concentrations
For vancomycindoses of > 15 mg/kg/dose q6h or > 3 g
per day, recheck first therapeutic trough in 2-3 days.
(Then follow above monitoring strategy thereafter.)
23
Time to Draw
Peak (aminoglycosidesonly)
30 minutes after dose completely infused
Trough (all drugs)
30 minutes before the next dose is due
24
How to Interpret Lab Results
Questions to ask yourself
Was the initial dosing appropriate? (considering renal
function etc.)
Was the trough drawn at presumed steady state?
For unexpected high concentrations, was it possible
the trough was drawn after the start of the infusion or
from a line that may not have been flushed?
Was it actually drawn at the time documented in the
system?
Should the level be redrawn?
25
Gentamicin Conventional Dosage
Adjustment Guidelines
26
If Peak is
High
(>10
mcg/mL)
Trough is High
Proportional DECREASE in DOSE to
bring peak to desired number.
Check to see how this change
affects trough.
If trough isstill high (above
range)with this dosage
decrease,DECREASE the
FREQUENCY.
Trough is in range
Proportional DECREASE in DOSE to
bring peak to desired number.
Trough is low
(<0.5 mcg/mL)
Proportional DECREASE in DOSE to
bring peak to desired numberand
INCREASE the dosing frequency.
If Peak is
Low
(less
than
target)
Trough is High
Proportional INCREASE in DOSE to
bring peak to desired number. Must
also DECREASE the dosing
frequency
Trough is in Range
Proportional INCREASE in DOSE to
bring peak to desired number.
Check to see how this change
affects the trough.
If the change will cause the
trough tobehigh (above
range), also DECREASE the
FREQUENCY.
Trough is low
Proportional INCREASE in DOSE to
bring peak to desired number.
Check to see how this change
affects trough.
If the change will cause the
trough tobehigh (above
range), also DECREASE the
FREQUENCY.
GentamicinDosage
Adjustment Guidelines
27
•If peak is in desired range and trough is
high, DECREASE THE FREQUENCY.
•After rechecking serum
concentrations, may be necessary to
increase dose with next adjustment.
•If peak is in desired range and trough is
low, most likely no adjustment is
necessary.
VancomycinDosage
Adjustment Guidelines
28
If trough
comes back
HIGH
If trough is in toxic
range, hold and draw
random serum
concentrations until
below 15 mcg/mL.
May calculate patient
half-life using formula if
there are 2
concentrations after a
dose and one value is at
least twice the other.
When
concentration is
below 15
mcg/mL,
recalculate
dose and
restart.
If half-life is
greater than
dosing interval,
increase dosing
interval to greater
than or equal to
one half-life
If trough
comes back
LOW
If trough is less than
half of target,
increase the
frequency. If the
frequency is already
Q6H, increase the
dose to 15 mg/kg. If
trough is still low,
increase the dose in
small increments
(i.e. 2 mg/kg per
dose)
If trough is more than
half of target, increase
the dose based on a
linear relationship;
calculate as a
proportional ratio to
trough. Maximum
increase of 50% at one
time.
Note: Q6h hours in the maximum frequency
Common Myth
Adjust the dose by 10%
Is this an appropriate recommendation?
In what situation, if ever, would this apply?
29
Calculating Actual Half-Life
to choose best dosage interval
K = ln C1
C2
ΔTime
t½= 0.693/K
K=elimination rate constant
Δ Time = hours
•
Can be done from random levels if spaced far enough apart
(one number at least twice the other)
•
Can be done from peak and trough if at steady state
30
Communication
Verbal
Progress notes
Sign outs
31
Case 1
Female
20 years old
ABW 76.6 kg
IBW 52.4 kg
SCr0.6
CrCl123 mL/min
Reason for visit
Chronic CSF leak
Comes to ER with symptoms of bending
down, having rhinorrhea
Started on vancomycin
Trough goal = 15-20 mcg/mL
32
Case 1
Date Dosing ScheduleDose Received Time
2/3/10 1 g x1 STAT 1 g 1629
2/4/10
1.5 g Q12H 1.5 g 0400
1 g Q12H 1 g 1520
2/5 /10
VANCOMYCIN TROUGH
10.1 mcg/mL
0330
1g Q12H
1 g 0400
1g 1530
33
Case 1
Pharmacy recommendation on 2/5/10
Draw a level on 2/6/10 AM
If level ≤ 10 mcg/mL, give 1 g Q8H
If level 11-12 mcg/mL, give 1.5 g Q12H
If 13-15 mcg/mL, give 1.2 g Q12h
34
Case 1
Date DosingScheduleDose Received Time
2/6/10
VANCOMYCIN TROUGH 11 mcg/mL 0300
1g Q12H 1 g 0330
1.5 g Q12H 1.5 g 1530
2/7/10 1.5 g Q12H
1.5 g 0330
1.5g 1530
2/8/10
VANCOMYCIN TROUGH
17.5 mcg/mL
0300
35
Case 2
Female
2 years old
ABW 17.5 kg
IBW 17.3 kg
SCr0.3
CrCl177 mL/min
Reason for admission
Lethargy
Mental status changes
Fever
Started on gentamicin
R/O sepsis (gram negative coverage)
36
Case 2
Target Serum Concentrations
Peak: 6-10 mcg/mL
Trough: < 2 mcg/mL
GentamicinDose: 2.5 mg per kg q8h
37
Case 2
Dosage Adjustment
Want peak 6 or greater
If 43 mg yields peak of 5.2, what dose
would bring it to 6?
Use linear proportion as long as interval is
unchanged
39
Case 2
Dosage Adjustment Continued
What effect would that have on trough (if
dose was increased to 49 mg q8h)?
If 43 mg yields a trough of 1.3 mcg/mL, 49
mg would bring it to what trough?
40
Case 2
What if trough calculated to greater than 2?
Answer: increase the interval
Monitoring
After dosage change, repeat peak and trough
around 3
rd
dose of the new regimen
41
Case Study
Term neonate
DOB: 1/25/12
Diagnosis: chorioamnionitis
Weight 3.65 kg
Start antibiotics: ampicillin
gentamicin
42
Case 3 ( 1) Gentamicin
43
Gentamicinordered: 14.6 mg q 24 hours
Dosed at 4 mg per kg
Questions:
Was this dosed properly?
What criteria are used to determine if this
was dosed properly?
What level(s) will be drawn to properly
monitor this drug?
What serum concentrations are we
targeting?
44
GentamicinDosing
45
PMA (weeks)
Postnatal
(days)
Dose
(mg/kg)
Interval
(hours)
≤ 29 0 to 7
8 to 28
> 28
5
4
4
48
36
24
30 to 34 0 to 7
> 7
4.5
4
36
24
≥ 35 ALL 4 24
PMA is theequivalent to Gestational Age plus Postnatal Age
Case 3 (2) Gentamicin
46
Dose given each morning for 3 doses
Question:
What time should the peak be drawn?
What time should the trough be drawn?
47
Case 3 (3) Gentamicin
48
Case 3 (4) Gentamicin
49
Question:
What is your evaluation of this peak?
How do we proceed from here?
50
51
Date Dosage
Regimen
Admin
Time
Time
of
Blood
Draw
Peak,
Trough
or
Random
ResultSerum
Creat
Comments
1/25/12Gent
14.6 mg
q24
9:00 No serum creatinine.
Wt= 3.65 kg 4 mg/kg
1/26/12“ 8:08
1/27/12“ 8:089:00
(11:09)
Peak 33.7
Mcg/mL
If you “believe” these
numbers,
t ½ =1.88
12:39
(12:55)
Random9.3
Mcg/mL
Expected t ½ in
neonate=3-6 hours
Aminoglycoside Pharmacokinetic
Monitoring
Drug: Gentamicin
Case 3 (5) Gentamicin
52
53
Date Dosage
Regimen
Admin
Time
Time
of
Blood
Draw
Peak,
Trough
or
Random
ResultSerum
Creat
Comments
1/25/12Gent
14.6 mg
q24
9:00 No serum creatinine.
Wt= 3.65 kg 4 mg/kg
1/26/12“ 8:08
1/27/12“ 8:089:00
(11:09)
Peak 33.7
Mcg/mL
If you “believe” these
numbers,
t ½ =1.88
12:39
(12:55)
Random9.3
Mcg/mL
Expected t ½ in
neonate=3-6 hours
1/28/12 8:15 Trough1.6
Mcg/mL
Aminoglycoside Pharmacokinetic
Monitoring
Drug: Gentamicin
Question:
Next step?
Give a dose (4 mg/kg dose) now (9AM) and
draw a peak 30 minutes after it is infused
54
Case 3 (6)
55
Evaluation
Check initial dosing for correctness
Evaluate the credibility of the laboratory values
Identify possible reasons for serum
concentration to be different than what is
expected
Confirm that all doses were given as scheduled
Confirm that blood was drawn at the correct time
Repeat lab work if necessary
Make adjustments based on pharmacokinetic
relationships
56
Case 4 (1) Vancomycin
57
Dosed at 10 mg/kg per dose every 8 hours.
Prematureinfant is 3 weeks old when vancomycin
is added.
.
Case 4 (2) Vancomycin
58
Case 4 (3) Vancomycin
59
4th dose
Case 4 (4) Vancomycin
60
What is the next step?
Evaluate the initial dosing strategy
Evaluate the lab result
Target trough?
Adjust dose or change the frequency?
61
Summary
Basic knowledge of pharmacokinetics will
optimize prescribing by insuring:
Maximal therapeutic benefits
Minimal adverse effects
Cost effectiveness
Decreased blood sampling
62
CE Question #1
A patient is on vancomycinevery 8 hours
and his half life is 6 hours. What is the
earliest you would expect him to be at
steady state?
a)12 hours
b)6 hours
c)18 hours
d)24 hours
63
CE Question #2
A patient is on gentamicin being treated
for a gram negative pneumonia. What is
the target serum concentrations?
a)Peak 4; Trough <2
b)Peak 15; Trough <2
c)Peak 7; Trough <2
d)Peak 5; Trough <2
64
CE Question #3
A 4 year old female child with normal renal
function (Wt= 18 kg; Ht= 40 inch) is admitted
for presumed meningitis. What would be
the appropriate starting dose of
vancomycin?
a)1g q12h
b)15 mg/kg/dose q6h
c)5 mg/kg/dose q8h
d)750mg q6h
65
CE Question #4
There is a 10 kg patient that is on vancomycin150mg
q8h being treated for cellulitis. The trough comes back
at 5 at presumed steady state with all doses given at the
appropriate times. The resident calls down to the
pharmacy and asks you for a dosage adjustment. What
would be an appropriate recommendation?
a)Increase the dose by 10%
b)Change the frequency to q6h at the same dose
c)Increase the dose to 170mg at the same q8h frequency
d)Switch to linezolid because you don’t know how to adjust
vancomycin
66
Questions?
67
References
1.Harriet Lane Handbook.17
th
ed. Robertson, J and Shilkofski, N Editors.
Philadelphia: Mosby, Inc., 2005.
2.Shargel L, Yu ABC. Applied Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics. 3
rd
ed. Appleton & Lange, 1993.
3.Thomson MICROMEDEX. 1974 -2008 MICROMEDEX(R) Thomson
Healthcare
4.Winter ME. Basic Clinical Pharmacokinetics. 4th ed. Baltimore: Lippincott
Williams & Wilkins, 2004.
5.http://www-users.med.cornell.edu
6.www.merck.com. Merck Manual on-line
7.Young, TE and Mangum, B. Neofax. 18
th
ed. Acorn Publishing, Raleigh,
2005.
8.Taketomo, Hoddong and Kraus. Pediatric Dosage Handbook. Lexi-comp.
2003-2004.
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