title: Role of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in pediatric anti-convulsant drug dosing.
abstract: The role of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in patient care has grown rapidly since its introduction three decades ago. The role of a TDM service in establishing proper pediatric anti-epileptic drug (AED) use is described. A number of studies are reviewed which identified proper pediatric dosage regimens for phenobarbital, carbamazepine, valproic acid, phenytoin and clonazepam. Finally, the potential role of TDM in the use of new AEDs is mentioned. These studies are given as examples of how professionals knowledgeable in clinical epilepsy management, clinical pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, can use TDM to design individualized dosage regimens, as well as assess compliance, toxicity and drug interactions.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Pharmacy, Ohio State University, Columbus.
authors.forename: P D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Walson
mesh_terms: D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants