title: Principles of therapeutic drug monitoring.
abstract: Biochemical monitoring is generally advised for drugs that are potentially toxic, have a narrow therapeutic range, or are prescribed for life-threatening disease. Monitoring should not be attempted until the serum concentration reaches a plateau, or steady state, and sampling must be timed carefully. Besides incorrect timing, various technical, therapeutic, and patient factors can account for results outside the therapeutic range.
mesh_terms: D006207:Half-Life; D006801:Humans; D007700:Kinetics; D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000097:blood*
chemical_list: D004364:Pharmaceutical Preparations