What is the target of therapeutic drug monitoring?

Therapeutic drug monitoring focuses on maintaining serum concentrations of medications within a specific therapeutic range. This approach is essential for drugs that have a narrow therapeutic index, where the difference between the effective dose and the toxic dose is small. By monitoring drug levels in the bloodstream, healthcare providers can adjust dosages to ensure that they are effective without causing adverse effects. This practice is crucial in optimizing treatment outcomes, maximizing efficacy, and minimizing toxicity for patients.

While evaluating drug interactions, decreasing side effects, and assessing patient compliance are important aspects of overall medication management, they do not specifically define the primary goal of therapeutic drug monitoring. The emphasis is on the ability to keep drug concentrations in the target range for optimal therapeutic benefit.