Introduction to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

This course provides a practical introduction to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM), focusing on measuring and interpreting drug concentrations to optimize patient outcomes. Students will learn key pharmacokinetic principles, therapeutic ranges, individualized dosing, and the clinical application of TDM for drugs with narrow therapeutic indices. Through case studies, the course develops skills in interpreting laboratory results, identifying toxicity or treatment failure, and recommending evidence-based dose adjustments for safe and effective medication use.

No Certificate / Course on Audit Track

About Course

Introduction to Therapeutic Drug Monitoring provides a practical introduction to the principles and clinical applications of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM). The course explores how drug concentration measurements are used to optimize medication therapy, improve treatment outcomes, and minimize toxicity. Learners will gain insight into the clinical use of TDM through real-world applications and case studies, with a particular focus on aminoglycosides and vancomycin. By the end of the course, participants will be better equipped to interpret TDM data and support safe, evidence-based patient care.

Authorship and Attribution

This course has been curated by Riphah International University faculty and staff using publicly available third-party content and Open Educational Resources (OER) for self-paced learning. Learners will engage with curated open-access materials to achieve the course learning outcomes. All third-party content is used under open-access or fair-use policies, while any original materials are developed specifically for this learning experience.

Source and Credits:

  • Instructor: AIIMS Jodhpur
  • Provider: YouTube (@aiimsjodhpur)
  • License: Standard YouTube license

Source and Credits:

  • Instructor: Maurice Zwart
  • Provider: YouTube (@mauricezwart)
  • License: Standard YouTube license

What You'll Learn

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  • Explain the principles and clinical significance of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) in optimizing drug therapy.
  • Interpret drug concentration data, including peak, trough, and steady-state levels, to assess therapeutic outcomes.
  • Apply pharmacokinetic principles to individualize medication dosing based on patient-specific factors.
  • Identify and manage drug toxicity, treatment failure, and clinically significant drug interactions using TDM data.
  • Recommend evidence-based dosage adjustments and monitoring plans to improve medication safety and patient care.

Prerequisites

Before enrolling in this course, learners should have:

  • A foundational understanding of Human Physiology and Pathophysiology. 
  • Basic knowledge of Pharmacology and Therapeutics. 
  • Familiarity with Pharmacokinetics, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) concepts. 
  • Basic skills in interpreting laboratory values and clinical data. 
  • Prior exposure to Clinical Pharmacy or Hospital Pharmacy Practice is recommended but not mandatory. 
  • Ability to perform basic pharmaceutical calculations and dosage adjustments. 

Who Can Take This Course?

This course is designed for undergraduate pharmacy students, particularly those in the senior years of the Pharm-D program, who are preparing for clinical practice and hospital-based training. It is also beneficial for pharmacy interns, early-career pharmacists, and healthcare professionals interested in optimizing medication therapy through evidence-based drug monitoring. The course equips learners with the knowledge and practical skills required to interpret drug concentration data, individualize dosing regimens, prevent drug toxicity, and improve patient outcomes through the application of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring principles.

Course Outline

Introduction to TDM

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring- Applications in Clinical Care (Video)

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Case Studies

TDM of Aminoglycosides (Video)

TDM of Vancomycin (Video)

Practice Quiz

MCQs (Problem)

Skills You Will Gain

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Drug Level Interpretation Dose Optimization Clinical Decision Making TDM Case Analysis Vancomycin Monitoring Aminoglycoside Monitoring Medication Safety

Course Information

Duration

Approximately 1.1 Hours

Course Information

Difficulty Level

Intermediate

Learning Mode

Fully Online (Asynchronous)

Learning Type

Self Paced

Language

Instructor/Curator

Course Instructor
  • Naziha Inam profile image
    Naziha Inam Jr Lecturer, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences (FPS), Riphah International University