antibiotic schedules

i'm really not sure how to answer this.

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[color=#483d8b]antibiotics arn't always given on the same schedule. for example, the most common vanc dose i see is 1gm q12hrs. however, i've seen it given q8hrs, q24 hrs (esp in home care), q 36hrs, q48hrs, and in one patient i'm currently seeing, q6 days. i've also seen different doses (750mg, 1.5gm, 2gm...)

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[color=#483d8b]how much of a drug to give, and how often to give it are up to the ordering physician (some docs will give this job to pharmacy by writing "pharmacy to dose vanc" or whatever). it will vary depending on the indication for the antibiotic, and patient factors (such as renal insuf).

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[color=#483d8b]there are some drugs that have pretty standard dosing intervals. levaquin comes to mind. it is almost always given q24hrs. but i think i've seen it given q48.

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[color=#483d8b]once a frequency is determined, some hospitals have "set" times that the drug should be given (such as 10/22 for q12, 12/18/24/06 for q6hr). other hospitals just dispense the first does on the next even hour, and time everything from there.

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[color=#483d8b](by the way, i usually see flagyl dosed q6hrs)

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[color=#483d8b]is this what you were asking?

yeah that is what i mean...i know that each patient is different, therefore the dose/frequency is different for each patient but USUSALLY i mean, many iv antibiotics are dosed at prescribed times so like for example flagyl like you mentioned you see it at q6h. i just wanted to get an idea of usual dosing schedules for more common iv meds. i'm still a bit in the dark and wanted to just jot a few notes down for myself so i can keep in my little notebook on the floor (i know i should probably know this by now, but its something i haven't really paid that much attention to yet)

thanks.

I typically see Vanco at q 12, Zosyn at q 8, Levaquin q 8, Zitrhromax at either q12 or q 24 (depending on severity of infection), Ancef q 6 or q 8.

As for timing it, if they're a post-op I'll time them for the first one given in PACU. If i'm getting them on my own, I'll try to time them for pt-friendly times. Like I'll try not to schedule antibiotics to where they're getting them anywhere between 1 and 5am if I can help it.