Drug Dosing by the Numbers for Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease

By Oregon State University
Feb 8, 2011 - 3:00:03 PM
HealthNewsDigest.com


CORVALLIS, Ore. – Pharmacists at Oregon State University have developed a new approach to developing drug dosages for patients with chronic kidney disease that shows promise for improving the therapeutic value of drugs while minimizing adverse effects.

The process, which provides a systematic analysis of the complex interplay among biological, chemical and pharmaceutical processes in the patient’s body, was created by Ali Olyaei, a professor in the OSU College of Pharmacy, who also has an appointment at Oregon Health and Science University.

“Chronic kidney disease (CKD) can affect nearly every organ system in the body,” said Olyaei, who specializes in renal and transplant medicine at the OSU/OHSU Division of Nephrology and Hypertension in Portland. “Patients with CKD require a careful and thorough evaluation when medications are being prescribed.”

Patients with chronic kidney disease face significantly greater risks from medications than patients with normal kidney function – as much as three times higher, according to researchers at OSU. Kidney disease compromises the body’s ability to absorb, metabolize and eliminate drugs. Compounding the dangers are the multiple health problems that often accompany kidney disease.

Read full article here