A simplified chart for determining the initial loading dose of teicoplanin in critically ill patients.

Aim of the study: A simplified chart to determine the initial loading dose of teicoplanin (TEIC chart) for achieving the target trough concentration was developed. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of this chart in critically ill patients. Patients and methods: The initial loading dose and maintenance dose to achieve a target trough concentration >= 10 mu g/mL on day 4 was determined using the teicoplanin TDM software and presented in a TEIC chart. The dosage of teicoplanin, including the loading dose for the first 2 days and the maintenance dose thereafter, was selected from the chart (chart method, N = 41) or calculated using TDM software (software method, N = 39). Results: The performance rate of initial loading of teicoplanin increased from 83.0% to 100% after the TEIC chart was introduced (P = 0.016). The TEIC chart significantly reduced the time required for determining the initial loading dose compared with the use of software (1.9 +/- 0.6 min vs. 29.7 +/- 13.8 min, P < 0.001). No significant differences were observed in the rates of achieving a target level >= 10 mu g/mL (P = 0.766). Conclusion: The TEIC chart enables a simple, rapid, and reliable determination of teicoplanin dosage.