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Published on: July 26, 2015
Pharmacokinetic studies in hemodialysis patients
1Department of Molecular Pharmacology & Biochemistry, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA. Art_Atkinson@msn.com
Abstract:
Intermittent hemodialysis is the primary supportive therapy for patients with end-stage renal disease, who commonly receive several drugs to treat both their underlying disease and the conditions that arise during long-term hemodialysis therapy. Many of these drugs are dialyzable, and their hemodialytic removal may compromise therapeutic efficacy if appropriate supplementary doses are not given. Emergency hemodialysis may also be life-saving for patients who have received drug overdoses or have ingested toxic substances. Optimal therapy in both these clinical settings is critically dependent on the availability of reliable information from well-designed pharmacokinetic studies.
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Renal Failure: Dose Adjustments
Reduced renal clearance and elimination rate are common outcomes of renal impairment. These alterations lead to a prolonged elimination half-life and an altered apparent volume of distribution for drugs. As a result, dosage adjustments are typically necessary to maintain optimal drug levels in the body.
However, dosage adjustments...