Comparative pharmacokinetics of glycopeptide antibiotics, and the influence of teicoplanin on granulocyte function

The glycopeptide antibiotics teicoplanin and vancomycin differ in their pharmacokinetic properties. Teicoplanin is characterized by a high and prolonged serum concentration as a result of its long elimination half-life, which can be explained by high serum protein binding and renal tubular resorption. The apparent volume of distribution of teicoplanin is much larger than the extracellular space of the human body, indicating intracellular accumulation in different tissues. Elimination is primarily via the kidneys, though 15-20% is eliminated by non-renal mechanisms. Vancomycin has a shorter elimination half-life and lower protein binding than teicoplanin. At therapeutically relevant serum concentrations, teicoplanin has no influence on superoxide anion production and enzyme release by granulocytes.