Pharmacology & CKD: how chronic kidney disease and its complications alter drug response.
People with chronic kidney disease often live with many illnesses and complex treatment regimens. As the disease progresses, the number of drugs prescribed may increase substantially; by the time a patient is in stage 5, he may be taking 11 or more drugs daily. The effects of the disease on pharmacokinetics (drug absorption, metabolism, distribution, and elimination) and pharmacodynamics (a drug's mechanism of action and effects at the target site) further increase the potential for adverse drug reactions and drug toxicity. Nurses' roles in evaluating patients' responses to drugs and teaching about the risks involved are discussed.
Disease Progression↗