Michelle Co , BSc(Pharm) , Anita Lo , BSc(Pharm), PharmD
Phenytoin is one of the oldest medications used to treat epilepsy. It is widely accepted that monitoring phenytoin therapy is complicated because of its nonlinear kinetics. It is also known that phenytoin is highly bound to albumin and that changes in albumin concentration can affect phenytoin concentration.1
However, clinical practice does not reflect this knowledge. An unpublished retrospective study performed at Ridge Meadows Hospital (a community hospital in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, that operates under the umbrella of the Fraser Health Authority) showed that measurement of albumin level was not routinely ordered when measurement of phenytoin concentration was ordered.2 Since the study was performed, pharmacists in the Fraser Health Authority have been granted authority to order laboratory tests when required to make decisions about medication management. This is a step forward for pharmacists, in that we no longer need to remind physicians to order measurement of albumin levels. However, this “solution” may still result in delayed decision-making and/or unnecessary venipuncture for patients, as pharmacists may not realize the need to measure albumin until after the sample for measurement of phenytoin has been drawn. A more efficient and proactive solution would be for albumin level to be automatically measured whenever phenytoin concentration is determined.
Yes, phenytoin is an old drug. Yes, we know all about how albumin affects its pharmacokinetics. But we can still make changes to improve the current system, thus making clinical pharmacy more efficient and effective.
1.
Patsalos PN, Berry DJ, Bourgeois BF, Cloyd JC, Glauser TA, Johannessen SI, et al. Antiepileptic drugs—best practice guidelines for therapeutic drug monitoring: a position paper by the subcommission on therapeutic drug monitoring, ILAE Commission on Therapeutic Strategies.
Epilepsia
2008;49(7):1239–1276.
2.
Co M. Impact of serum albumin on phenytoin level: twenty years later [lecture]. Fraser Health Research Week; 2008 Jun 17; Surrey (BC).
Canadian Journal of Hospital Pharmacy , VOLUME 64 , NUMBER 4 , July-August 2011