When the blood level rises too high, the patient may experience serious side effects and this reflects a toxic level. Monitoring blood levels may be done for the patient on prolonged therapy. A patient taking the drug develops seizures. Brainstorm possible reasons for this sub-therapeutic level. A patient is admitted to your area with yellow vision, nausea and a heart rate of 35.
Therapeutic range is a measure of the drug s safety margin.
It must be noted that even though these drugs are relatively safe, individual differences exist and a patient may demonstrate sensitivity to even a drug with a wide therapeutic range. Related to blood levels is the concept of biologic half-life. Obviously, any abnormality in the body s ability to metabolize or excrete a medication will have an impact on the half-life. By the time two half-lives has elapsed, the drug is at a level where little effect is seen. Half-life is also important in reaching therapeutic blood level.