For once-daily dosage of gentamicin, tobramycin or amikacin: a single measurement of plasma concentration should be made 6-14h after a dose.
If the measured concentration of gentamicin or tobramycin, or one quarter the measured concentration of amikacin, does not lie between the curves on the graph then dose adjustment is required.
For 8- and 12- hourly dosage of aminoglycosides, a peak level is measured to assess adequacy of the dose in serious infections.
The peak level should be measured 30 min to 1h after a dose, given either as an IV infusion over 20-30 min or as an IMI.
A trough level (immediately prior to the next dose) is measured to assess whether accumulation is occurring.
The following are recommended levels for 8-12 hourly Aminoglycoside Therapy:
Gentamicin: >8 mg/L (peak), <2 mg/L (trough)
Tobramycin: >8 mg/L (peak), <2 mg/L (trough)
Amikacin: >32 mg/L (peak), <8 mg/L (trough)
For vancomycin, peak levels do not correlate with either efficacy or toxicity. Trough levels should be maintained at 10-20mg/L.
Flucytosine toxicity occurs at levels >100 mg/L. Trough levels should be maintained at >25 mg/L for efficacy.
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