Reassessment of the concept of a therapeutic range of anticonvulsant plasma levels.
The significance of plasma-level measurements of anti-epileptic drugs is reviewed, especially as it applies to the treatment of childhood epilepsy. The problems associated with the determination and interpretation of 'therapeutic' levels are discussed, including the justification of applying to children the results of studies of adults. It is concluded that plasma-level determinations are of great value in specific circumstances, but that more study is needed to take into account the multiplicity of variables involved.
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D001665:Binding Sites; D001923:Brain Chemistry; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000097:blood; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D010634:Phenobarbital / Q000097:blood; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000097:blood; D011324:Primidone / Q000097:blood; D013997:Time Factors
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011324:Primidone; D002220:Carbamazepine; D010672:Phenytoin; D010634:Phenobarbital