In Handbook of Drug Monitoring Methods: Therapeutics and Drug Abuse, authors discuss the different analytical techniques used in todaya (TM)s practice of therapeutic drug monitoring and drugs of abuse as well as alcohol testing with relevant theory, mechanism, and in-depth scientific discussion on each topic. This volume is the perfect handbook and quick reference for any clinical laboratory, allowing clinicians to find the potential source of a false-positive or a false-negative result in the daily operation of a toxicology laboratory. At the same time, this book can also be used as a reference for medical technologists, supervisors, laboratory directors, clinical chemists, toxicologists, and pathologists to find in-depth cause of a potential interference and what tests can be ordered to circumvent such problem. The volumea (TM)s first half focuses on various issues of therapeutic drug monitoring. Additional chapters cover analysis of heavy metals, alcohol testing, and issues of drugs of abuse testing. These chapters are written by experts in their relative sub-specialties and also by the editor. Comprehensive and timely, Handbook of Drug Monitoring Methods: Therapeutics and Drug Abuse is the ideal text for clinicians and researchers monitoring alcohol and drug testing and other important tasks of toxicological laboratory services.

Alcohol and Its Biomarkers: Clinical Aspects and Laboratory Determination is a concise guide to all currently known alcohol biomarkers, their clinical application, and the laboratory methods used to detect them. Pathologists can use this resource to understand the limitations and cost factors associated with each method for determining certain alcohol biomarkers. In addition, interferences in these determinations are discussed, so that clinicians can understand the causes of falsely elevated biomarkers and pathologists and laboratory scientists can potentially eliminate them. The book focuses on the analytical methods used to detect alcohol in blood and urine, the limitations of alcohol determination using enzymatic methods, and the differences between clinical and forensic alcohol measurement. Chapters also cover cutting-edge alcohol biomarkers for potential use.

For drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, therapeutic drug monitoring methods are essential for patient management. Although immunoassays are commercially available for many drugs and most laboratories use these assays for routine therapeutic monitoring, they have many limitations which hinder their efficacy. Providing practical guidelines for implementing preferred gas and liquid chromatographic methods, Advances in Chromatographic Techniques for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring is a comprehensive reference describing the theory and application of therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical laboratories. Edited by a distinguished authority in the field and containing contributions from a variety of experts, the book discusses preanalytical variables, the pitfalls of immunoassays, tandem mass spectrometry, issues related to pain management and herbal supplements, and therapeutic drug monitoring for a range of medications, including: Anticonvulsants Digitalis Cardioactive drugs Antidepressants Immunosuppressants Anti-cancer drugs Vancomycin and aminoglycosides Antibiotics Antiretroviral drugs Nonnarcotic analgesics Anti-inflammatory drugs Examing older and newer drugs, the book contains detailed discussions on the rationale for therapeutic drug monitoring of each class of drugs, along with their basic pharmacology and toxicology. An extensive list of references is provided at the end of each chapter so that those interested in implementing a new drug assay can find the most appropriate method for the intended drug.

Scientific research has clearly established that drinking in moderation has many health benefits, including maintaining a healthy heart. Yet, many people do not know that drinking red wine protects the heart more than white wine, while beer, margaritas, and hard liquor are less effective in providing such protection. And while alcoholism is a serious problem requiring medical and psychological treatment, for those who are not addicted, drinking alcohol is not necessarily a bad habit. The problem is to distinguish between drinking sensibly and drinking insensibly. Dasgupta clearly outlines what constitutes healthy drinking and its attendant health benefits, offers advice on how to drink responsibly, and provides insight into just how alcohol works on the brain and the body. After reading this book, readers will enjoy their next drink with a fuller and safer understanding of why they're enjoying it.

A majority of the Fortune 500 Companies implement some practice of workplace drug testing in their company policies. This practice was first initiated by President Ronald Reagan when he ordered federal agencies to drug test federal employees involved in sensitive positions as well as positions involving public safety.

As a practicing toxicologist, Dr. Amitava Dasgupta is involved with the pre-employment drug testing at his own hospital and aptly shares his expertise in Beating Drug Tests and Defending Positive Results: A Toxicologist 's Perspective, which covers all major issues concerning how people try to beat drug tests and defend positive test results. In each chapter, extensive references are cited so that readers can access more information on a particular topic that may interest them. The book will undoubtedly prove helpful to toxicologists, medical technologists, pathologists, human resources professionals and anyone interested in workplace drug testing.

For drugs with a narrow therapeutic index, therapeutic drug monitoring methods are essential for patient management. Although immunoassays are commercially available for many drugs and most laboratories use these assays for routine therapeutic monitoring, they have many limitations which hinder their efficacy. Providing practical guidelines for implementing preferred gas and liquid chromatographic methods, Advances in Chromatographic Techniques for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring is a comprehensive reference describing the theory and application of therapeutic drug monitoring in clinical laboratories.

Edited by a distinguished authority in the field and containing contributions from a variety of experts, the book discusses preanalytical variables, the pitfalls of immunoassays, tandem mass spectrometry, issues related to pain management and herbal supplements, and therapeutic drug monitoring for a range of medications, including:

• Anticonvulsants
• Digitalis
• Cardioactive drugs
• Antidepressants
• Immunosuppressants
• Anti-cancer drugs
• Vancomycin and aminoglycosides
• Antibiotics
• Antiretroviral drugs
• Nonnarcotic analgesics
• Anti-inflammatory drugs

Examing older and newer drugs, the book contains detailed discussions on the rationale for therapeutic drug monitoring of each class of drugs, along with their basic pharmacology and toxicology. An extensive list of references is provided at the end of each chapter so that those interested in implementing a new drug assay can find the most appropriate method for the intended drug.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring 2nd Edition is an updated reference on TDM analytical techniques in diverse clinical settings. This new edition reviews the exciting new developments in the area, including seven new chapters covering immunoassay design and applications, combined chromatographic techniques in therapeutic monitoring, drug monitoring in alternative specimens, pharmacogenomics of anticancer drugs, pharmacogenomics testing for patient management, selected antifungal agents, pharmacodynamic monitoring, and therapeutic drug monitoring of selected anticoagulants. All remaining chapters in the first edition were thoroughly revised and updated. Therapeutic Drug Monitoring 2nd Edition is the ideal reference for clinical pathologists, pharmacologists, and toxicologists involved with TDM. Scientists working in diagnostic companies, developing reagents for monitoring therapeutic drugs will also find relevant information in this book.

Herbal supplements are available without prescription in many countries throughout the world and accounting for over $30 billion U.S dollar in sale. A majority of U.S population (25-40%) use herbal supplements while alternative medicines are major forms of therapy in third world countries used by as much as 80% population. Contrary to the popular belief that herbal remedies are safe and effective, many herbal supplements have known toxicity and unexpected laboratory test results may be the early indications of such toxicity. In addition, some herbal products such as St. John's wort can interact with many Western drugs causing increased clearance of such drugs and hence treatment failure. This monograph would provide information on how herbal supplements affect laboratory test results thus patient's safety. This monograph would provide a comprehensive and concise practical guide for laboratory professionals, physicians and other health care professionals. The emphasis of this monograph is to provide clinically relevant information rather than discussing in detail mechanisms of such effect, although brief explanations would be provided for such unexpected test results.

Fighting the Opioid Epidemic: The Role of Providers and the Clinical Laboratory in Understanding Who Is Vulnerable covers the important aspects that are essential in fighting the opioid epidemic. This succinct reference highlights how the toxicology laboratory can play a vital role in fighting the opioid epidemic by implementing a robust system for drugs of abuse testing as well as drug testing in pain management patients. It targets health care professionals in a technical manner, discussing polymorphisms of important genes that may be associated with increased vulnerability of alcohol and drug addiction to an individual.

Antioxidants in Food, Vitamins and Supplements bridges the gap between books aimed at consumers and technical volumes written for investigators in antioxidant research. It explores the role of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of various diseases as well as antioxidant foods, vitamins, and all antioxidant supplements, including herbal supplements. It offers healthcare professionals a rich resource of key clinical information and basic scientific explanations relevant to the development and prevention of specific diseases. The book is written at an intermediate level, and can be easily understood by readers with a college level chemistry and biology background.

A majority of the Fortune 500 Companies implement some practice of workplace drug testing in their company policies. This practice was first initiated by President Ronald Reagan when he ordered federal agencies to drug test federal employees involved in sensitive positions as well as positions involving public safety. As a practicing toxicologist, Dr. Amitava Dasgupta is involved with the pre-employment drug testing at his own hospital and aptly shares his expertise in Beating Drug Tests and Defending Positive Results: A Toxicologist's Perspective, which covers all major issues concerning how people try to beat drug tests and defend positive test results. In each chapter, extensive references are cited so that readers can access more information on a particular topic that may interest them. The book will undoubtedly prove helpful to toxicologists, medical technologists, pathologists, human resources professionals and anyone interested in workplace drug testing.

Pharmacogenomics is the basis of personalized medicine, which is said to be the medicine of the future. Understanding genetic variation in drug and alcohol response is vital for professionals working in rehabilitation programs. The same principles that are applicable for therapeutic drugs are also applicable for drugs of abuse. Pharmacogenomics can supplement traditional therapeutic drug monitoring, potentially predicting correct dosage before initiation of the drug therapy. Applying these principles to testing and treatment, Pharmacogenomics of Alcohol and Drugs of Abuse discusses the role of the clinical laboratory in the practice of personalized medicine. With contributions from a range of experts, the book presents the genetic aspects of alcohol metabolism and other drugs including marijuana, cocaine, and amphetamines. In addition to basic pharmacogenomic aspects, the book addresses slate and trait markers of drugs of abuse so readers can consider setting appropriate biomarker tests in their clinical laboratory.

Written in a handbook style with specific methods and tips on eliminating false positive and false negative results, this book is a practical guide to the detailed mechanisms of such occurrences.

Personalized Immunosuppression in Transplantation: Role of Biomarker Monitoring and Therapeutic Drug Monitoring provides coverage of the various approaches to monitoring immunosuppressants in transplant patients, including the most recently developed biomarker monitoring methods, pharmacogenomics approaches, and traditional therapeutic drug monitoring. The book is written for pathologists, toxicologists, and transplant surgeons who are involved in the management of transplant patients, offering them in-depth coverage of the management of immunosuppressant therapy in transplant patients with the goal of maximum benefit from drug therapy and minimal risk of drug toxicity. This book also provides practical guidelines for managing immunosuppressant therapy, including the therapeutic ranges of various immunosuppressants, the pitfalls of methodologies used for determination of these immunosuppressants in whole blood or plasma, appropriate pharmacogenomics testing for organ transplant recipients, and when biomarker monitoring could be helpful.

"TherapeuticDrug Monitoring: Newer Drugs andBiomarkers"features timely topics such as the monitoring of classical and newer drugs, pharmacogenomics and the application of biomarkers in therapeutic drug monitoring. This reference also discusses the limitations of current commercially available immunoassays for therapeutic monitoring. It presentsnew and sophisticated techniques used for proper determination of blood levels and the clinical utility of therapeutic drug monitoring of contemporary drugs. Written by leading international experts and geared toward clinical pathologists, toxicologists, clinical chemists, laboratory professionals and physicians, this book is an essential resource on the current practice of therapeutic drug monitoring in improving patient safety.

Includes both the technical and clinical issues associated with therapeutic drug monitoring.

Discusses theutility of therapeutic drug monitoring of newer drugs such as antiretroviral agents, anticonvulsants, antidepressants etc.

Provides up-to-date information onissues inpharmacogenomics and personalized medicine with emphasis on therapy with warfarin, certain anticancer drugs and antidepressants.

Covers important content on thelimitations of commercially available immunoassays (chemical tests) for therapeutic drug monitoring and additional analytical techniques. "

Clinical Chemistry, Immunology and Laboratory Quality Control: A Comprehensive Review for Board Preparation, Certification and Clinical Practice, Second Edition presents core topics and 70 case studies that illustrate the application of clinical chemistry knowledge to everyday patient care. This succinct reference offers practical examples of how things function in the pathology clinic with useful lists, key points, case studies and a bullet point format ideal for quick pre-board review. While larger textbooks in clinical chemistry provide highly detailed information regarding instrumentation and statistics, this book is designed to educate senior medical students, residents and fellows on how tests are performed. This second edition successfully helps pathology residents gain command of clinical chemistry, toxicology, immunology, and laboratory statistics in an effort to help them prepare for the American Board of Pathology examination. Clinical chemistry is a topic in which many senior medical students and pathology residents face challenges.

Hematology and Coagulation: A Comprehensive Review for Board Preparation, Certification and Clinical Practice, Second Edition, takes a practical and easy-to-read approach to understanding hematology and coagulation at an appropriate level for both board preparation and refresher courses. The book bridges the gap between large textbooks and medical technology books written for laboratory technicians, providing the sufficient background in genetics, toxicology and immunology that residents and medical students need to know in order to become successful physicians. Readers will use this quick reference to understand how tests are performed and how to interpret results. This clear and easy-to-read presentation of core topics and detailed case studies illustrates the application of hematopathology on patient care.

Clinical Challenges in Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Special Populations, Physiological Conditions and Pharmacogenomics focuses on critical issues in therapeutic drug monitoring including special requirements of therapeutic drug monitoring important to special populations (infants and children, pregnant women, elderly patients, and obese patients). The book also covers issues of free drug monitoring and common interferences in using immunoassays for therapeutic drug monitoring. This book is essential reading for any clinician, fellow, or trainee who wants to gain greater insight into the process of therapeutic drug monitoring for individual dosage adjustment and avoiding drug toxicity for certain drugs within a narrow therapeutic window. The book is written specifically for busy clinicians, fellows, and trainees who order therapeutic drug monitoring and need to get more familiar with testing methodologies, issues of interferences, and interpretation of results in certain patient populations.

Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Data: A Concise Guide, Fourth Edition serves as a ready resource of information on commonly monitored drugs that will help readers make decisions relating to the monitoring and interpretation of results. It is an easy-to-read source of information on intended use, pharmacokinetics, therapeutic range, and toxic concentrations, as well as bioavailability, disposition, metabolism and the excretion of commonly monitored therapeutic drugs. This fully updated fourth edition includes sections on new anticonvulsants, anti-depressant and anti-HIV drugs, new drugs for advanced cancer treatment, and thoroughly updated chapters that address new pitfalls and problems in the lab.

Transfusion Medicine for Pathologists: A Comprehensive Review for Board Preparation, Certification, and Clinical Practice is a concise study guide designed to complement standard textbooks in the field of clinical pathology. Pathology residents and fellows of transfusion medicine will find this book useful as a preparation tool for their exams. In addition, the book is a valuable timesaver for busy residents looking for a focused and compact study guide on transfusion medicine that will also be ideal for practicing pathologists who cross-cover transfusion medicine in their clinical practice.

Microbiology and Molecular Diagnosis in Pathology: A Comprehensive Review for Board Preparation, Certification and Clinical Practice reviews all aspects of microbiology and molecular diagnostics essential to successfully passing the American Board of Pathology exam. This review book will also serve as a first resource for residents who want to become familiar with the diagnostic aspects of microbiology and molecular methods, as well as a refresher course for practicing pathologists. Opening chapters discuss issues of laboratory management, including quality control, biosafety, regulations, and proper handling and reporting of laboratory specimens. Review chapters give a quick overview of specific clinical infections as well as different types of bacteria, viruses, fungal infections, and infections caused by parasites. Following these, coverage focuses on diagnostic tools and specific tests: media for clinical microbiology, specific stains and tests for microbial identifications, susceptibility testing and use of antimicrobial agents, tests for detecting antibodies, antigens, and microbial infections. Two final chapters offer overviews on molecular diagnostics principles and methods as well as the application of molecular diagnostics in clinical practice.

Management of Hemostasis and Coagulopathies for Surgical and Critically Ill Patients: An Evidence-Based Approach offers a concise guide to a sub-specialty of transfusion medicine from the clinical laboratory perspective. It focuses on the clinical tests that may be done during preoperative assessment, intraoperative, and postoperative assessment and management of surgical or critically ill patients. Management of hemostasis and coagulopathies is approached from an evidence-based perspective-the coagulation status of a patient according to the laboratory test results. Algorithms and decision-support software, designed by the authors, guide clinicians with an additional tool to base transfusion dosage on specific laboratory results, including the use of an artificial neural network for predicting more accurate blood use. Chapters reflect the experience of all three authors who have successfully applied the algorithm for better patient management as well as decreased wastage of expensive blood products, from both the clinical laboratory/pathology and clinical medicine perspective. This book will appeal to a broad section of clinical laboratory and medical practitioners from hematopathology, to internal medicine, surgery, and anesthesiology. For hematopathologists and pathologists who are involved in laboratory medicine and transfusion medicine, this book will help them understand the proper utilization of blood products and how to avoid unnecessary waste and costs for the hospital. For general surgery practitioners, this book will provide practical guidelines on how to use blood products rationally for best medical practice. Internists will also gain insight from this book, learning which patients are at higher risk of bleeding during surgery so that they can alert their clinical colleagues.

Hematology and Coagulation is a clear and easy-to-read presentation of core topics and detailed case studies that illustrate the application of hematopathology knowledge to everyday patient care. In order to be successful, as well as to pass the American Board of Pathology examination, all pathology residents must have a good command of hematopathology, including the challenging topics of hematology and coagulation. Hematology and Coagulation meets this challenge head on. This basic primer offers practical examples of how things function in the hematopathology clinic as well as useful lists, sample questions, and a bullet-point format ideal for quick pre-board review. This book provides only the most clinically relevant examples designed to educate senior medical students, residents and fellows and "refresh" the knowledge base, without overwhelming students, residents, and clinicians.