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PharmD clinical pharmacy program Level 3, Semester 2 Biopharmaceutics & Pharmacokinetics (PT608(

Continuous IV infusion

❖
Intravenous (IV) drug solutions may be either injected as a bolus dose (all at

once) or infused slowly through a vein into the plasma at a constant rate (zero

order).

❖
The main advantages of giving a drug by IV infusion are:

 Allow precise control of plasma drug concentrations to fit the individual needs of

the patient.

 For drugs with a narrow therapeutic window (e.g. heparin), IV infusion

maintains an effective constant plasma drug concentration by eliminating wide

fluctuations between the peak (maximum) and trough (minimum) plasma drug

concentration.

 IV infusion of drugs, such as antibiotics, may be given with IV fluids that include

electrolytes and nutrients.

 The duration of drug therapy may be maintained or terminated as needed using

IV infusion.

 The infusion rate of a drug is controlled by the flow rate and concentration of the drug

in solution.

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