What is a typical therapeutic trough level for vancomycin?

What is a typical therapeutic trough level for vancomycin?

• A. 5-15 mcg/mL
• B. 10-20 mcg/mL
• C. 20-30 mcg/mL
• D. 1-5 mcg/mL

Answer: (B)

Therapeutic drug monitoring for vancomycin uses trough levels to balance effectiveness with safety. The trough is the lowest concentration just before the next dose, measured after steady state is reached. Vancomycin has a narrow therapeutic index, so staying within a target trough helps ensure enough drug exposure to kill bacteria—especially serious infections—while minimizing kidney toxicity. For most infections, a typical therapeutic trough is about 10-20 mcg/mL. Levels in this range indicate adequate exposure; values above 20 raise nephrotoxicity risk, while levels below 10 may be subtherapeutic. Therefore, 10-20 mcg/mL is the standard target range.

Therapeutic drug monitoring for vancomycin uses trough levels to balance effectiveness with safety. The trough is the lowest concentration just before the next dose, measured after steady state is reached. Vancomycin has a narrow therapeutic index, so staying within a target trough helps ensure enough drug exposure to kill bacteria—especially serious infections—while minimizing kidney toxicity. For most infections, a typical therapeutic trough is about 10-20 mcg/mL. Levels in this range indicate adequate exposure; values above 20 raise nephrotoxicity risk, while levels below 10 may be subtherapeutic. Therefore, 10-20 mcg/mL is the standard target range.