[Index]

PRESCRIBING POLICIES:

4.6 PHARMACIST-MANAGED IV-PO CONVERSION PROGRAM

 POLICY

The oral dosage form for treatment courses of select parenteral drugs will be promoted by permitting pharmacists to review and change the route of administration of selected medications in accordance to established criteria.

 PROCEDURES

 Pharmacy: 1.  A clinical pharmacist will assess patients receiving the drugs listed below to
                       determine if oral therapy is feasible. 
                  2.  If patients meet the criteria for oral conversion continues to need medication is
                       clinically stable is capable of tolerating the oral dosage from and has no factors
                       present e.g. gastrointestinal abnormalities or drug interactions that would
                       adversely affect oral bioavailability, the pharmacist will write the order for the
                       equivalent oral regiment, specifying the next administration time, in the
                       Physician’s orders.
                 3.   Pharmacist will document the rationale for the dosage form selection in the
                       Progress Notes.
                 4.   In collaboration with the prescribing physician and the balance of the health care
                       team, the pharmacist will monitor patient for clinical progress and medication
                       tolerability, and may convert the patient back to parenteral therapy as required.

                 5.   Pharmacists should ensure that “IV->PO Conversion Service” comment-line is in
                       the PCIS system.

                 6.   The pharmacist will consult with the physician prior to conversion for antimicrobial
                       drugs listed in Group 3 in the table below or if antimicrobial therapy is less than
                       48 hours.

 List of IV Drugs Eligible for Conversion to PO by a Pharmacist

 1) Antimicrobials  –   Patients must receive 48 hours of IV antimicrobials before the pharmacist
                                  can convert to PO independently. If therapy is < 48 hours, pharmacist must
                                  consult with a physician. 

 Group 1 (similar AUC achieved with oral dosage form of same drug):

  •        Ciprofloxacin

  •        Clindamycin

  •        Co-trimoxazole

  •        Fluconazole

  •        Moxifloxacin

  •        Metronidazole

 Group 2 (lower AUC achieved with oral dosage form of same drug):

  •        Acyclovir will be converted to Valacyclovir

  •        Ampicillin will be converted to Amoxicillin or Amoxicillin-clavulanate

  •        Cefazolin will be converted to Cephalexin

  •        Cefuroxime will be converted to Cefuroxime axetil

  •        Penicillin G will be converted to Penicillin V

Group 3 (different drug - selection based on pathogen susceptibility and no contraindications to therapeutic alternative) - Note: Prior discussion with prescribing physician is required.

  •        Ceftriaxone will be converted to Fluoroquinolone

  •        Imipenem-cilastatin will be converted to 1) Ciprofloxacin +
     Clindamycin/MetronidazoleOR 2) Amoxicillin-clavulanate + Ciprofloxacin OR 3)
     Moxifloxacin + Metronidazole

  •        Cloxacillin will be converted to Cephalexin

  •        Erythromycin will be converted to Clarithromycin

  •        Ticarcillin-clavulanate will be converted to 1) Ciprofloxacin +
     Clindamycin/Metronidazole OR 2) Amoxicillin-clavulanate + Ciprofloxacin OR 3)
     Moxifloxacin + Metronidazole

2) Proton Pump Inhibitors and H2 blockers - Patients must be taking other PO/NG meds or food
           and there must be no endoscopically confirmed high risk acute upper GI bleeding
           peptic ulcer disease/rebleeding within past 72 hours (“high risk” as per endoscopy
           report = active bleed or hemorrhage or presence of a non-bleeding visible vessel or
           presence of adherent clot).

  •        Pantoprazole IV (all IV pantoprazole doses, i.e. pantoprazole IV infusions, 40mg IV
     daily, 40mg IV BID) is converted to lansoprazole PO or lansoprazole fastabs (if
     unable to swallow tablets)

  •        Ranitidine IV is converted to PO form; dose adjusted for renal dysfunction