[Free online software tools for precision dosing of vancomycin, and other drugs]

Abstract

Introduction: Software tools that assist in the pharmacotherapeutic optimization of narrow therapeutic range drugs are widely available. However, empirical (“trial and error”) methods are still common. The aim of this work was to evaluate the characteristics and performance of free-online software that assist in precision dosing of vancomycin.

Materials and method: An exhaustive search was performed in Google, Google Scholar, and Pubmed/Medline, with no time limits. General descriptive and pharmacokinetic characteristics related to vancomycin and, occasionally, to other drugs were evaluated. Different scores were assigned for each attribute of each program, comparing, when appropriate, with reference programs: BestDose, PrecisePK and DoseMeRx.

Results: 8 free online software were found: Clincalc, Globalrph, IDS-ODS, NextDose, TDMx, Vancocalc, VancoPK and Vancovanco. Although all of them are suitable for use, TDMx, NextDose, and IDS-ODS provided the best performance. Some are especially useful for academic settings, while others are suitable for the clinical setting. Each one must be evaluated by the users to decide its applicability. These software can be a valid option for those who are beginning to learn about pharmacotherapeutic optimization processes and for those who do not yet justify an economic investment. However, the performance of commercial programs is usually much more advantageous.

Conclusions: The free online software for precision dosing of vancomycin (especially TDMx, NextDose, and IDS-ODS) can be used, with the limitations of each case, as starting assistant tools, both in the clinical and in the teaching-academic field.