Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

A set of vocabulary flashcards that cover key concepts and definitions related to therapeutic drug monitoring, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and various drugs used in clinical settings.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM)

Measurement of drugs and/or their metabolites in blood to maintain therapeutic benefits.

Pharmacokinetics

Study of the movement of drugs in the body, encompassing absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Pharmacodynamics

Study of biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action.

Bioavailability

Portion of administered dose that reaches the site of action.

Elimination Constant

A useful value related to the rate of drug elimination, though drug half-life is more common.

Half-life

Time needed for the blood concentration of the drug to decrease by one-half.

CYP450

Family of enzymes important for drug metabolism, with prominent members like CYP2D6, CYP2C9, and CYP3A4.

First-pass effect

Phenomenon where drug is metabolized before reaching the circulatory system, typically via the liver.

Trough Concentration

Lowest concentration of a drug in the bloodstream before the next dose is administered.

Peak Concentration

Highest concentration of a drug in the bloodstream after a dose is administered.

Volume of Distribution

Calculated as Dose of drug/Concentration of drug, indicating how far a drug distributes in the body.

Digoxin

Cardiac glycoside used in treating cardiac arrhythmias and congestive heart failure.

Quinidine

Drug commonly used to treat cardiac arrhythmias, administered orally.

N-acetylprocainamide (NAPA)

Metabolite used to treat cardiac arrhythmias, with therapeutic and toxic levels defined.

Primidone

Controls grand mal seizures; converted by the liver to its active metabolite phenobarbital.

Phenobarbital

Slow-acting barbiturate used in seizure control, with specified therapeutic and toxic ranges.

Valproic Acid

Used to treat seizures, with specific therapeutic and toxic levels.

Lithium

Used to treat bipolar disorder, for which therapeutic and toxic ranges are established.

Immunoassay

Preferred testing method for therapeutic drug monitoring due to its adaptability and accuracy.

Specimen of Choice

Serum is often the preferred specimen for measuring most drug concentrations in TDM.