MyMedLab

Some drug level tests require preparation.

Ask your health care provider for preparation information related to the test ordered. Therapeutic drug level tests are usually performed to look for the presence and the amount of specific drugs in the blood.

With most medications, you need a certain level of drug in the blood stream to obtain the desired effect. Some medications are toxic if the level rises too high and are ineffective if the levels are too low.

Monitoring serum drug levels enables your health care provider to ensure that your drug levels are within an effective range. Testing involves taking multiple measurements of blood levels of a drug over time. The main purpose is to determine the effective drug dosages and to prevent toxicity.

Often, these are drugs where the margin of safety between therapeutic levels and toxic levels is narrow. Testing may also be done to determine absorption, rate of metabolism, or interaction with other necessary drugs.

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