Higher Teicoplanin Blood Level Needed in Elderly Critically Ill Patients.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Significant changes in the pathophysiology of older critically ill patients may affect the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of teicoplanin. This study aimed to determine the optimal teicoplanin blood level in this patient population. METHODS: 128 older critically ill and 86 older non-critically ill patients were involved and analyzed. RESULTS: The target thresholds of teicoplanin blood concentrations in older critically ill patients and non-critically ill patients should be 31.4mg/L and 15.3mg/L, respectively. The dose of teicoplanin in older critically ill patients should be greater than 800 mg to achieve the target blood level. CONCLUSION: An individualized dosing approach of teicoplanin based on therapeutic drug monitoring is necessary for older critically ill patients.