Vancomycin Continuous Infusion in Critically Ill Adults Clinical Guideline
Version 1.1 approved 27 February 2023
Vancomycin Continuous Infusion in Critically Ill Adults Clinical Guideline (PDF 278KB)
Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic. Intravenous formulations are used to treat infections with Gram-positive bacteria and for surgical prophylaxis in some situations.
The SA Medicines Formulary restricts use of intravenous vancomycin to the following indications in adults:
- Infectious Diseases / Clinical Microbiology advice; or
- Intensive Care Units; or
- Haematology / Oncology as per febrile neutropenia guidelines; or
- Surgical prophylaxis as per statewide clinical guidelines for patients allergic to penicillin or at high risk of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection; or
- Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis (CAPD) peritonitis involving MRSA and/or coagulase negative staphylococcus (CoNS); or
- Empiric treatment of sepsis for 48 hours only (continuing therapy only with ID / Microbiology advice).
The utilisation of continuous infusions in critically ill patients aims to align the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of vancomycin and is currently recommended in international guidelines.
Recommendations on the administration of vancomycin continuous infusions
Recommendations on the administration of vancomycin continuous infusions outside of the critical care setting are not within the scope of this guideline. Please refer to SA Health Vancomycin Dosing and Monitoring in Adults Clinical Guideline (PDF 384KB).