Teicoplanin and therapeutic drug monitoring: An update for optimal use in different patient populations

Individualization of antimicrobial treatment based on real-time therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) and dosing adaptation may represent an important tool in the antimicrobial stewardship programs. Teico-planin is a glycopeptide hydrophilic antibiotic whose pharmacokinetic behavior may consistently vary among different patient populations. Nowadays it is generally recognized that the effective trough (C-min) plasma level of tecoplanin should be of at least 10-15 mg/L for the treatment of mild infections, and of 15-30 mg/L for the treatment of deep-seated infections and/or of severe infections. The aim of this viewpoint is to provide an update for optimal use of teicoplanin TDM in different patient populations. Available literature supports TDM of Cmin as a helpful approach in addressing appropriate treatment with teicoplanin, with a frequency of assessment that should be guided by the severity of the infection and/or by the complexity of the pathophysiological status of the patient. (C) 2020 Japanese Society of Chemotherapy and The Japanese Association for Infectious Diseases. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.