Population pharmacokinetics dosing recommendations

The use of population pharmacokinetics and a sparse sampling approach allow each patients to contribute as few as two to four observations at predetermined times to an overall population. Use of the area under the curve (AUC) will minimise the number of samples required from each patient. Population models allow researchers to assess and quantify potential sources of variability in exposure and response in the target population. Population pharmacokinetics seeks to discover which measurable pathophysiological factors cause changes in the dose-concentration relationship and to what degree, so that the appropriate dosage can be recommended. The pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic approach has been used to assess sotalol syrup formulations (Shi et al, 2001). Ten blood samples were taken from... 

The manufacturers recommend that consideration should be given to increasing the dose of caspofungin from 50 to 70 mg daily in patients taking rifampicin. - This dose has been generally well tolerated in clinical studies. . However, bear in mind the case report of possible caspofungin failure, even at this dose. The manufacturers also say that a population pharmacokinetic analysis suggested that the concurrent use of other met-... 

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