Caffeine Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Is Necessary and Cost-effective

Peter Gal, Peter Gal

No abstract available

Keywords: caffeine; pharmacoeconomics; therapeutic drug monitoring.

Figures

Figure.

Pharmacodynamic curves for caffeine efficacy based on an acceptable or optimal response, and lack of toxicity. Pharmacodynamic profile is based on clinical experience in 268 neonates over a 3-year period. Using this curve, a reduction of caffeine concentration from 20 mg/L (10 mmol/L) to 10 mg/L (5 mmol/L) would result in loss of clinical response in 35% of the potential responders, despite both concentrations being in the “therapeutic” range. ▴ = Clinical response (apnea, or bradycardia, and/or oxygen desaturation) ▪ = Toxicity (tachycardia)