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Updated: Jun 27, 2026

Multiplex Therapeutic Drug Monitoring by Isotope-dilution HPLC-MS/MS of Antibiotics in Critical Illnesses
Published on: August 30, 2018
Suboptimal aminoglycoside dosing in critically ill patients
Rhonda S Rea1, Blair Capitano, Robert Bies
1Department of Pharmacy and Therapeutics, School of Pharmacy, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA.
Critically ill patients often receive inadequate aminoglycoside (AG) dosing. Current regimens achieve the target peak concentration to minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) ratio in only 20-40% of medical intensive care unit (MICU) patients.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Critical Care Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Maximal aminoglycoside (AG) killing requires a peak serum concentration to minimum inhibitory concentration (Cmax/MIC) ratio of ≥10.
- This ratio is associated with faster infection resolution in the general population.
- Critically ill patients may be underdosed due to altered pharmacokinetics, such as increased volume of distribution.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the Cmax/MIC target attainment rate in medical intensive care unit (MICU) patients receiving gentamicin or tobramycin.
- To evaluate the adequacy of current AG dosing regimens in this population.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of MICU patients who received intravenous gentamicin or tobramycin.
- Development of a population pharmacokinetic model.
- Analysis of 211 AG serum concentrations from 102 patients.
- Calculation of Cmax/MIC and probability of attaining the pharmacodynamic (PD) target using MIC distributions.
Main Results:
- Mean AG clearance (CL) was 3.14 L/h and volume of distribution (V) was 53 L.
- Glomerular filtration rate and standardized body weight were significant covariates for CL and V.
- Only 20% and 40% of patients achieved the PD target with standard gentamicin and tobramycin doses, respectively.
Conclusions:
- The majority of critically ill patients are predicted to not achieve the AG pharmacodynamic target under current dosing.
- Larger volume of distribution in ICU patients may contribute to underdosing.
- Recommendations include higher initial doses (7 mg/kg), Cmax monitoring, and MIC-guided dose adjustments for AG therapy in MICU patients.
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