Predicting serum drug level using the principles of pharmacokinetics after an overdose: a case of lithium overdose.
OBJECTIVE
In cases of drug overdose, clinicians often find it challenging to predict serum drug level and decide the optimum time for recommencing the overdosed drug.


METHODS
This paper describes how to predict serum drug level using the principles of pharmacokinetics.


RESULTS
The proposed method and recommencement of the overdosed drug is demonstrated using a clinical case of lithium overdose.


CONCLUSIONS
The proposed method can assist clinicians in predicting serum drug levels and deciding the optimum time for recommencing the overdosed drug safely. Therefore, it may reduce unnecessary repeat serum drug level procedures.
Staff Specialist Psychiatrist, Newcastle Mental Health Service, Hunter New England Local Area Health District, Newcastle, NSW, and; Conjoint Lecturer, School of Medicine and Public Health, Faculty of Health, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, Australia.
Irosh
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Fernando
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000506:poisoning; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005544:Forecasting; D006801:Humans; D008094:Lithium / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000506:poisoning
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D008094:Lithium
lithium toxicity; pharmacokinetics; predicting serum lithium