Wednesday December 20, 2006


Q; What is the best time to draw Vancomycin level in chronic intermittent haemodialysis patients ?


A; Vancomycin (random or trough) level in patients undergoing chronic intermittent haemodialysis should be drawn ideally before the haemodialysis session. Or atleast 6 hours after the dialysis session.

The vancomycin plasma concentration decreases dramatically during the dialysis session and then gradually increases when the session is stopped for 4–6 hours. Drawing level during dialysis session or too soon after the session may give falsely low trough level.


Related previous pearls:

What should be the target Vancomycin level ?

Vancomycin dosing in CRRT

Vancomycin-induced Stevens-Johnson syndrome