Abstract
To assess the possibility of terahertz technology for the determination of drug concentration in blood, we endeavored to apply a terahertz (THz) attenuated total reflection (ATR) method to measure the levels of theophylline in saline. A change in reflected THz wave amplitude was observed in a theophylline concentration-dependent manner. This result was obtained with simple measurements of comparisons of the amplitude of the reflected wave, and suggests that it is possible to monitor concentration changes of drugs in liquid material using THz ATR measurements.
Highlights
To assist in the appropriate usage of pharmaceutical agents, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) plays a fundamental role in clinical practice
We obtained a concentration dependence of reflected THz attenuated total reflection (ATR) spectra with NaCl solutions and theophylline solutions
NaCl solutions change in the refractive index of the solution
Summary
To assist in the appropriate usage of pharmaceutical agents, therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) plays a fundamental role in clinical practice. TDM has been used for the determination of blood concentrations of drugs with narrow therapeutic ranges, drugs with marked pharmacokinetic variability, medications for which target concentrations are difficult to monitor, and drugs known to cause therapeutic and adverse effects. In this regard, TDM can allow for the optimization of individual dosage regimens [1]. It takes tens of minutes to determine the blood concentrations of agents, even though the measurement process is totally automated.
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