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Therapeutic drug monitoring are blood tests to measure the concentration of certain medications in your blood.

You might need therapeutic drug monitoring if you are prescribed medication that is easily under or over dosed. Drugs that might cause significant side effects may also be monitored. In addition, some drugs need to be monitored because the amount of drug prescribed does not correlate well with the amount that reaches the blood.

To monitor toxic effects of some medications tests such as urea and electrolytes, creatinine and liver function tests are carried out at prescribed intervals to check kidney and liver function. Monitoring can help identify decreases in the efficiency and functioning of the body in processing and eliminating the drugs.

The timing of blood collection is an important part of therapeutic drug monitoring. When you take a dose of medication, the amount in the blood rises for a period of time, peaks, and then begins to fall; usually reaching its lowest level (trough) just before the next dose. To be effective, peak levels should be below toxic concentrations and trough levels should remain in the therapeutic range.

Examples of drugs that may be monitored are:

WarfarinAnticoagulant (anti blood clotting) therapy
LithiumAnti-depression therapy
AzathioprineImmune system suppressant
MethotrexateImmune system suppressant
SulfasalazineAnti-inflammatory
MyocrisinImmune system suppressant
RoaccutaneUsed to treat acne or rosacea
HRT Profile

Hormone replacement therapy monitoring

Wessex Hospital

Winchester Road, Chandlers Ford, Eastleigh, SO53 2DW

02380 266 377

By car: our hospital is conveniently located just off Junction 12 of the M3 between Southampton and Winchester, with free parking available. Parking Eye is in operation at this site, please ensure you input your car registration on one of the portals at the main reception. By public transport: the nearest train station is Chandlers Ford - a 20-minute train journey from Southampton Central station. The 1 Bluestar bus, which serves Southampton, Chandlers Ford and Winchester, is just 5 minutes walk from the hospital.

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