What Are the Limitations of Serum Drug Level Testing?
While serum drug levels are invaluable, there are limitations to their use. They provide a snapshot of the drug concentration at a particular time, which may not fully represent the clinical picture, especially if the drug has a long half-life or if the patient has taken multiple doses. Additionally, the timing of sample collection is crucial; levels taken too early or too late may not accurately reflect toxicity. There can also be variability in laboratory methods and interindividual differences in drug metabolism.
