Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy (1986) 18,513-520 Comparison of phannacokinetics and bactericidal activity of teicoplanin and vancomydn

Teicoplanin (0-2 g) or vancomycin (1 g) were infused over 3 and 50 min respectively to six male volunteers in a cross-over study. Each drug was administered twice at a 14 h interval. The pharmacolcinetics of both drugs were accurately described using a two-compartment model. Vancomycin had a shorter half-life (5-8 ± 1-8 h) compared to teicoplainin (33-2±51h; P<0001) One hour serum was tested for serum bactericidal activity against ten strains each of Staphylococcus aureus (median serum bactericidal activity 1:16 for teicoplanin; 1:32 for vancomycin), Staph. epidermidis (1:32 for teicoplanin and for vancomycin) and Streptococcus faecalis (1:2 for both drugs). Serum killing rate studies showed a slower rate of killing of Staph. aureus with teicoplanin (< 1 logt0 cfu/ml over 6 h) than with vancomycin (4 log10 cfu/ml over 6 h)