PRODUCT INFORMATION

TARGOCID

NAME OF THE MEDICINE

Non-proprietary Name
teicoplanin

DESCRIPTION
Teicoplanin is a glycopeptide-antibiotic produced by Actinoplanes teichomyceticus. It is
presented as a sterile, pyrogen-free ivory white powder for reconstitution with water for
injection. It is freely soluble in water and on reconstitution gives a clear solution.
Microbiology
Teicoplanin is bactericidal or bacteriostatic on growing populations of susceptible Gram-
positive organisms; depending on the sensitivity of the organism and antibiotic
concentration.
Teicoplanin inhibits the growth of susceptible organisms by interfering with cell-wall
biosynthesis at a different site from that affected by -lactams. Teicoplanin is therefore
effective against staphylococci (including those resistant to methicillin and other -lactam
antibiotics) and streptococci.
Some cross-resistance is observed between teicoplanin and the glycopeptide
vancomycin.
Teicoplanin has shown no cross-resistance to -lactam antibiotics, macrolides,
aminoglycosides, tetracycline, rifampicin or chloramphenicol.
PHARMACOLOGY

Pharmacokinetics
In man, the plasma level profile after intravenous administration indicates a biphasic
distribution (with a rapid distribution phase having a half-life of about 0.3 hours, followed
by a more prolonged distribution phase having a half-life of 3 hours). At the end of the
distribution phase, plasma levels and the subsequent time-concentration curves, are
identical following intramuscular or intravenous administration of 3 mg/kg dose. Following
intramuscular injection bioavailability is 100%; average peak plasma levels of 7.1 g/mL
are achieved in 3-4 hours following a dose of 3 mg/kg.
The elimination half-life is 70-100 hours. The apparent volume of distribution at steady
state is similar to total body water, i.e. 0.6 L/kg.
Approximately 90-95 % of teicoplanin is bound to plasma proteins. Teicoplanin penetrates
into blister exudates and bone where it achieves peak concentrations comparable to those
in serum after intramuscular injection. Peak levels in joint fluid are approximately 60 % of
peak serum concentrations. Teicoplanin penetrates very poorly into cerebrospinal fluid
(CSF) and red blood cells.
Metabolic transformation is minor, about 3%; about 80% of administered drug is excreted
in the urine over a 16 day collection period.

INDICATIONS
Targocid is indicated for the treatment of the following serious infections due to
staphylococci or streptococci, which cannot be treated satisfactorily with less toxic agents,
including -lactam antibiotics:-
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Bone - osteomyelitis
Joints - septic arthritis
Blood - non-cardiac bacteraemia, septicaemia

CONTRAINDICATIONS
Targocid is contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drug.

PRECAUTIONS
Targocid should be administered with caution in patients known to be hypersensitive to
vancomycin since cross-hypersensitivity may occur. However, a history of the "Red Man
Syndrome" that can occur with vancomycin is not a contraindication to Targocid.
Periodic haematological studies, and renal and liver function tests are advised during
prolonged treatment. Serial renal and auditory function tests should be undertaken in the
following circumstances:
In patients receiving prolonged therapy.
In patients with renal insufficiency.
During concurrent and sequential use of other drugs which may have ototoxic or
nephrotoxic properties. These include aminoglycosides, amphotericin, cyclosporin,
cisplatin, frusemide and ethacrynic acid. However, there are no toxicity data on the
concurrent use of these drugs with Targocid.
Superinfection
The use of Targocid may result in overgrowth of non-susceptible organisms. Repeated
evaluation of the patients condition is essential. If new infections due to bacteria or fungi
appear during treatment, appropriate measures should be taken.
The safety and efficacy of Targocid by the intrathecal route has not been studied.
Solutions of Targocid and aminoglycosides are incompatible when mixed directly and
therefore should not be mixed before injection.

Interactions
Due to the potential for increased adverse effects, Targocid should be administered with
caution in patients receiving concurrent nephrotoxic or ototoxic drugs, such as
aminoglycosides, amphotericin B, cyclosporin and frusemide.
Use in pregnancy and lactation
(Use in pregnancy category B3)
Reproductive studies in rats and rabbits with subcutaneous doses up to 200 mg/kg/day
and 15 mg/kg/day respectively did not reveal teratogenic effects. Teicoplanin was
associated with an increase in the number of stillborn pups when rats were treated with
subcutaneous doses 100 mg/kg/day. Pup weight was reduced at all doses tested (SC
doses 10 mg/kg/day). It is not known if teicoplanin is excreted in breast milk during
lactation.
Targocid should not be used during confirmed or presumed pregnancy or during lactation
unless the potential benefits outweigh possible risks.
Carcinogenesis and Mutagenesis
Long-term studies in animals to evaluate the carcinogenic potential of teicoplanin have not
been performed. Teicoplanin was negative in assays evaluating the potential to cause
gene mutations, but assays to evaluate the potential to cause chromosome damage have
not been performed.

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ADVERSE EFFECTS
In an open clinical trial involving patients with bone or joint infections, teicoplanin was
associated with adverse reactions in 32% of the patients. However, treatment was
discontinued because of adverse reactions in 17% of patients only. A clear cause-effect
relationship was not established in these patients. The most frequent adverse reactions
were fever, rashes, nausea, vomiting, rigors, pruritus and diarrhoea.
The following adverse effects have been reported:
Local reactions: pain, phlebitis, redness, abscess, thrombophlebitis
Hypersensitivity: skin rash, erythema, pruritus, rigor, fever, bronchospasm,
anaphylaxis, urticaria, angioedema, toxic epidermal necrolysis, erythema multiforme
including Stevens-Johnson syndrome and rare reports of exfoliative dermatitis
Hepatic: increased transaminases and/or alkaline phosphatase
Haematologic: eosinophilia, thrombocytopenia, leucopenia, neutropenia and rare
cases of reversible agranulocytosis
Renal: rise in serum creatinine, blood urea, acute renal failure
Gastrointestinal: nausea or vomiting, diarrhoea
Nervous system: dizziness, headache, seizures with intraventricular use
Auditory: hearing loss, tinnitus, vertigo, other vestibular disorders.
In addition, infusion-related events, such as erythema or flushing of the upper body, have
been rarely reported. These events occurred without a history of previous Targocid
exposure and did not recur on re-exposure when the infusion rate was slowed and/or the
concentration was decreased. These events were not specific to any concentration or rate
of infusion.

DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION

Note: Special instructions apply for reconstitution. See below.
The reconstituted Targocid injection should be administered intravenously or
intramuscularly. Intravenous dosing may be by slow injection over 5 minutes or by infusion
over 30 minutes. Maintenance dosage is once daily; however, initially a loading dose
regimen of three doses at 12-hourly intervals is recommended, for rapid attainment of
steady-state plasma levels.
An intramuscular injection of Targocid should not exceed 3 mL (400 mg) at a single site.

Adults:

Septicaemia/bacteraemia, acute or chronic osteomyelitis:

Treatment should be started with 400-800 mg (or 6-12 mg/kg) by the I.V. route every 12
hours for 3 doses then the daily maintenance dose should be 400 mg (or 6 mg/kg).

Septic arthritis
Patients with septic arthritis should receive 800 mg (or 12 mg/kg), intravenously, every 12
hours for 3 doses then a daily maintenance dose of 800 mg (or 12 mg/kg).
Elderly Patients:
As for adults. If renal function is impaired, the instructions for impaired renal function
should be followed.
While the total duration of therapy is determined by the type and severity of infection and
by the clinical response of the patient, the following periods are often appropriate:
Uncomplicated bacteraemia 2-4 weeks
Septic arthritis or osteomyelitis 3-6 weeks
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Patients with Renal Impairment:
For patients with impaired renal function, reduction of dosage is not required until the
fourth day of Targocid treatment. Trough plasma teicoplanin concentrations should be
monitored periodically after the first week of therapy and the dosage adjusted to prevent
trough concentrations exceeding 30 g/mL in patients with septic arthritis or 15g/mL in
other cases.

From the fourth day of treatment:

in mild renal insufficiency:

creatinine clearance between 40 and 60 mL/min, Targocid dose should be halved, either
by administering the initial unit dose every two days, or by administering half of this dose
once a day.
in severe renal insufficiency:
creatinine clearance less than 40 mL/min, and in haemodialysed patients, Targocid dose
should be one third of the normal either by administering the initial unit dose every third
day, or by administering one third of this dose once a day. Teicoplanin is not removed
by dialysis.
Preparation of Injection:
Note: The powder should be reconstituted strictly in accordance with the instructions
below. Errors in reconstitution may result in the formation of a stable foam and delivery of
smaller doses.
The entire contents of the accompanying diluent water ampoule should be added slowly
down the side wall of the vial of Targocid. The vial should be rolled gently between the
palms until the powder is completely dissolved, taking care to avoid foam formation. DO
NOT SHAKE. If the solution does become foamy, allow to stand for 15 minutes for the
foam to subside. Withdraw the entire contents from the vial slowly into a syringe, trying to
recover most of the solution by placing the needle in the central part of the stopper.
Satisfactory potency of the reconstituted injection is retained for 48 hours at 25oC and for
7 days at 4C. As a matter of good pharmaceutical practice, it is recommended that
reconstituted solutions be stored under refrigeration (4oC) and solutions stored longer
than 24 hours be discarded. When storing reconstituted solution do not store in a
syringe.
The reconstituted solution contains:
For a 400 mg vial: 400 mg/3.0 mL of teicoplanin.
Dilution of reconstituted solution:
The reconstituted solution may be injected directly, or alternatively diluted with any of the
following diluents.
0.9% Sodium Chloride solution
Compound sodium lactate solution
If necessary, solutions with the above diluents may be stored at 4C for up to 7 days.
Solutions left at room temperature for longer than 24 hours should be discarded.
5% glucose solution
0.18% Sodium Chloride and 4% glucose solution
Solutions containing the above diluents (which contain glucose) should be stored at 4C
and should be used within 24 hours; solutions kept longer than 24 hours should be
discarded.
As a matter of good pharmaceutical practice, solutions for intravenous infusion should be
used immediately after admixing.
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OVERDOSAGE
Treatment of overdosage should be symptomatic. Teicoplanin is not removed by
haemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis.

PRESENTATION
Targocid 400 mg - 25 mL vial containing lyophilised 460 mg* teicoplanin and 24.8 mg
sodium chloride with an accompanying ampoule (3.14 mL*) Water for Injections (Ph. Eur.)
* An overage is included to allow withdrawal of the correct dose.
NAME AND ADDRESS OF SPONSOR
sanofi-aventis australia pty ltd
12-24 Talavera Road
Macquarie Park NSW 2113

DATE OF APPROVAL
19 October 1994

Date of most recent amendment 06 July 2009

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