Final answer:
The therapeutic range of drugs varies but must remain within a safe concentration in the blood for efficacy without toxicity. Human blood needs to maintain a pH of 7.35 to 7.45 for proper drug functioning and reducing life-threatening complications. TDM is used to measure and adjust drug concentrations in plasma for individualized treatment.
Step-by-step explanation:
The therapeutic range of drugs in the human body is a critical concept in the field of medicine. For a drug to be effective without being toxic, it needs to be present in the bloodstream within a certain concentration range. This range varies from drug to drug and is determined by several factors, including the drug's ability to treat the medical condition and its potential to cause harm.
One important aspect of maintaining the efficacy of drugs is ensuring that the pH of human blood remains within the normal range of 7.35 to 7.45, which is slightly basic. This helps manage the acidity resulting from carbon dioxide being released into the bloodstream. Homeostatic mechanisms maintain this pH range, as significant fluctuations can cause enzymes to become less active or inactive, potentially leading to life-threatening disorders.
Therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) is a practice used to optimize drug dosage for individual patients. It involves measuring drug concentrations in plasma or serum and adjusting dosages accordingly. Criteria for TDM include a narrow therapeutic range, significant variability between individuals at a given dose, a clear relationship between blood exposure and clinical effects, and a validated bioanalytical method for measuring the drug.