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Rapid Attainment of Steady State Plasma Drug Concentrations Within Precise Limits

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Abstract

We describe a method of rapidly obtaining a specified steady state plasma concentration of an intravenous drug within precise limits. The technique requires an initial bolus to raise the plasma concentration to the upper limit followed by a series of constant-rate infusions each of which is associated with a minimum plasma concentration equal to the tower limit. The infusion rate is stepped down when the plasma concentration returns to the upper limit. Computer simulation, based on the method, is used to generate plasma concentration–time curves with fluctuations of up to 10% about selected steady state concentrations of amrinone, esmolol, lidocaine, midazolam, propofol, and theophylline. The utility of this general approach to intravenous dosing and potential limitations of the method are discussed.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anaesthesia, Royal Perth Hospital, Perth, W.A, 6000, Australia

    Ben Korman

  2. Center for Applied Dynamics and Optimization, Department of Mathematics, University of Western Australia, Stirling Highway, Nedlands, W.A, 6907, Australia

    Les S. Jennings

Authors
  1. Ben Korman
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  2. Les S. Jennings
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  3. John R. A. Rigg
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Korman, B., Jennings, L.S. & Rigg, J.R.A. Rapid Attainment of Steady State Plasma Drug Concentrations Within Precise Limits. J Pharmacokinet Pharmacodyn 26, 319–328 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023285426388

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1023285426388

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