A novel vancomycin-like glycopeptide antibiotic is being developed by researchers. The novel medication is bactericidal against gram-positive pathogens at serum concentrations higher than 15 g/mL, according to susceptibility tests. To reach the desired serum trough concentration of 15-20 g/mL, two distinct dose regimens are established. One is supplied as 1 gram every 6 hours, and the other as 2 grams every 12 hours. In an early-stage clinical study, the two regimens are evaluated on healthy volunteers, and the following pharmacokinetic characteristics are discovered. Compared to the 12-hour dosing regimen, the 6-hour regimen is most likely to exhibit which of the following features?

Question

A novel vancomycin-like glycopeptide antibiotic is being developed by researchers. The novel medication is bactericidal against gram-positive pathogens at serum concentrations higher than 15 g/mL, according to susceptibility tests. To reach the desired serum trough concentration of 15-20 g/mL, two distinct dose regimens are established. One is supplied as 1 gram every 6 hours, and the other as 2 grams every 12 hours. In an early-stage clinical study, the two regimens are evaluated on healthy volunteers, and the following pharmacokinetic characteristics are discovered.  Compared to the 12-hour dosing regimen, the 6-hour regimen is most likely to exhibit which of the following features?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Therapeutic dosage plans are often created to increase drug efficacy while reducing toxicity. In the graph above, two distinct regimens with the same total dose (i.e., 4 grams/24 hr) but various dosing intervals are being compared (ie, 6 hr,12 hr). Both regimens maintain plasma levels above the bactericidal threshold (for example, 15-20 g/mL) and have comparable trough levels (i.e., lowest concentration level before next dose). As a result, both regimens are probably equally effective. The 12-hour dosing schedule, however, results in much greater peak and average medication levels. The 6-hour regimen is probably less harmful since medication toxicity most frequently corresponds with peak or average plasma drug levels.

A Novel Vancomycin-Like Glycopeptide Antibiotic Is Being Developed by Researchers