Tobramycin assays for once daily dosing in adults: Practicalities of taking a sample.

• Take a venous blood sample (gold top serum separator tubes (preferred) or red top) immediately before the 2nd dose. 
  • Capillary blood samples should NOT be used as they produce unreliable results.
  • The timing is crucial.
• This sample should be labelled as a "Pre-dose"
• Post-dose samples are NOT required.
• To give the dose or not?
  • For patients >65 yrs or with renal impairment WAIT for the result before giving the next dose. 
  • For other patients the 2nd dose can be given if the results are not available in time.
  • After taking a level, do NOT give more than 1 dose to any patient with out knowing the assay result.
• The request card should be completed with as much information as possible to allow interpretation of the assay result. Click here for further details.

Page last edited: 24/09/2008

Caution; the antibiotic doses recommended on this website are intended for adult patients with normal renal and liver function unless otherwise stated. Dosing advice for patients with renal impairment is available here.

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