A METHOD FOR THE BEDSIDE APPLICATION OF 1ST-ORDER PHARMACOKINETICS IN THERAPEUTIC MANAGEMENT

  • 1 January 1980
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 2  (4) , 323-329
Abstract
First-order pharmacokinetics are useful in individualizing therapy for many drugs. The application and interpretation of such analyses require complex mathematical manipulations, however, and therefore kinetics are seldom used by clinicians in the management of individual patients. A practical method based on the use of a conventional, hand-held programmable calculator to derive first-order kinetic constants from serum drug level data obtained after intermittent i.v. doses of the agent was described. How to apply these data to design more optimal dosage regimens was explained. This method will allow professionals involved in therapeutic drug monitoring to apply pharmacokinetics to individualize drug therapy in selected patients and conveniently test the wider applicability of 1st-order pharmacokinetics in drug monitoring.