Why Are Serum Drug Levels Important in Toxicology?
In toxicology, serum drug levels are essential for several reasons. Firstly, they assist in confirming a diagnosis of overdose or poisoning when clinical symptoms are present. Secondly, they guide treatment by indicating whether interventions like activated charcoal, gastric lavage, or antidotes are necessary. Lastly, they help monitor the effectiveness of treatment and ensure that drug levels return to a safe range.