Antibiotic Assay Antimicrobial Assay Antimicrobial Assay, Tobramycin Nebcin (Tobramycin Sulfate Injection) Tobramycin, Trough, Serum
Monitoring adequate clearance of tobramycin near the end of a dosing cycle
Collection Instructions:
1. Draw blood no more than 30 minutes before next scheduled dose.
2. Serum gel tubes should be centrifuged within 2 hours of collection.
3. Red-top tubes should be centrifuged and aliquoted within 2 hours of collection.
Tobramycin is an antibiotic used to treat life-threatening blood infections by gram-negative bacilli, particularly Citrobacter freundii, Enterobacter (all species), Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Proteus mirabilis, Providencia stuartii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Serratia species. It is often used in combination with beta-lactam therapy.
A tobramycin minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of less than 4.0 mcg/mL is considered susceptible for gram-negative bacilli, while a MIC of greater than 8.0 mcg/mL is considered resistant.
Toxicities include ototoxicity and nephrotoxicity. This risk is enhanced in presence of other ototoxic or nephrotoxic drugs. Monitoring of serum levels, renal function, and symptoms consistent with ototoxicity is important. For longer durations of use, audiology and vestibular testing should be considered at baseline and periodically during therapy.
Therapeutic: < 2.0 mcg/mL
Toxic: > 2.0 mcg/mL
Goal levels depend on the type of infection being treated. Goal trough levels should be below 2.0 mcg/mL for conventional (nonpulse) dosing. Prolonged exposure to trough levels exceeding 2.0 mcg/mL may lead to toxicity.