title: Elementary pharmacokinetics in clinical practice. 3: Practical pharmacokinetic applications.
abstract: In the preceding articles, a number of pharmacokinetic concepts have been introduced, and a number of parameters such as plasma half-life, volume of distribution and clearance have been defined. Although the equations and models introduced may have appeared complex, an understanding of the basic principles permits one to increase efficiency and safety, in order to optimise the clinical usefulness of drugs. The purpose of this article is to demonstrate the application of these concepts to the management of drug therapy for the individual patient. Studies have been carried out for many drugs to evaluate therapeutically desirable plasma concentrations, and define concentrations that are associated with increased incidence of toxic side effects. Many drugs have narrow therapeutic indices and must be administered with extreme care. Application of pharmacokinetic principles to the design of therpeutic regimens will help achieve the desired plasma concentrations, and remove some of the empiricism involved in drug administration.
mesh_terms: D000284:Administration, Oral; D001702:Biopharmaceutics; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D008433:Mathematics; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000378:metabolism*; D010672:Phenytoin / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations; D010672:Phenytoin