Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) test actually determines the amount of a particular drug in your blood. This is intended to assure that the amount of medication you are taking is safe and effective.
Most medications can be administered correctly without much testing. However, for certain types of medications, it is a challenge to qualify for a dosage that ensures you are taking enough medication to cure the condition without causing unsafe side effects.TDM helps your doctor recognize if you are taking the proper dosage of your medication.
Other name: Medical Blood Concentration, therapeutic drug levels
What is it used for?
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is used to determine the optimal dosage for a person using a particular type of complex medication. Following are some of the more popular medications that must be administered be monitored .
| Type of drug | Name of Medication |
|---|---|
| Antibiotics | Vancomycin, Gentamicin, Amikacin |
| Cardiac Medicine | Digoxin, Procyanamide, Lidocaine |
| Drugs for Seasonal Effects | Phenytoin, phenobarbital |
| Drugs for Autoimmune Diseases | Cyclosporine, tacrolimus. |
| Drugs for bipolar disorder | Lithium, valproic acid. |
Why is TDM needed?
There are options that require a trial when the drug is first used. This helps the physician determine a more effective dose. Once this dose is determined, it can be tested periodically to ensure that the drug is still effective without causing damage. It may still need to be tested if it shows signs of serious side effects. Side effects vary from drug to drug. Your doctor will tell you which signs to watch for.
What happens during TDM?
Your caregiver will take blood from a vein in your arm with a small needle. After the needle is inserted, a small amount of blood is collected in a test tube or vial. You will feel some pressure as the needle goes in and out. This usually takes less than 5 minutes.
Do I need to prepare for the test?
Depending on the type of drug used, you may need to plan your analysis before or after your normal dose.
Were there any risks with TDM?
There are no sufficient risks associated with blood testing. There will be slight pain and bruising in the area where the needle is inserted, but most signs disappear quickly.
What do the results mean?
Your results will indicate whether the amount of medication in your blood is on the medically useful but unsafe spectrum. This is called the the therapeutic Spectrum. The spectrum depends on the type of medication and your personal health needs. If your results are not on this spectrum, your doctor may need to adjust your dosage. If your dosage is adjusted, you may undergo repeat studies until your medication dosage is within range. the therapeutic range.
If you have questions about your results, consult your own physician
Supplied by MedlinePlus from the State Medical Library.
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