Final answer:
Determining the proper dosage and route of administration of a drug is essential for achieving therapeutic levels while minimizing toxicity. Factors like age, body mass, drug metabolism, and route of administration influence dosage. Both conjugated and unconjugated bilirubin levels are measured to assess liver function.
Step-by-step explanation:
Understanding Therapeutic Drug Levels and Dosage
In medicine, determining the correct dosage and route of administration for pharmaceuticals is critical to ensure optimal therapeutic levels are reached without causing significant toxicity. The dosage is the amount of medication given over a certain time interval and varies based on factors such as age, body mass, and liver or kidney function. Route of administration (oral, intravenous, or intramuscular) can affect how quickly and to what extent a drug reaches the bloodstream, as shown in Figure 14.7.
Factors Influencing Drug Dosage
- Patient's age and body mass
- Drug metabolism and clearance, especially in liver or kidney dysfunction
- Route of administration: oral, intravenous, or intramuscular
- Plasma protein binding of the drug
- History of allergies or adverse reactions to medications
Side effects may vary widely but can include allergic reactions and other serious adverse events. The decision on dosage also takes into account the need to achieve sufficient drug levels, especially in the case where pharmacokinetics are affected by patient-specific variables.
Conjugated vs. Unconjugated Bile Pigments
Bilirubin and biliverdin are known as unconjugated bile pigments, while their glucuronide forms are regarded as conjugated. In the context of liver function testing, total bilirubin levels include both conjugated and unconjugated forms, which can indicate different liver or blood disorders when abnormal.