Plasma level monitoring of psychotropics and anticonvulsants Introduction

Plasma drug concentration or ‘plasma level’ monitoring is a process surrounded by some confusion and misunderstanding. Drug level monitoring, when appropriately used, is of considerable help in optimising treatment and assuring adherence. However, in psychiatry, as in other areas of medicine, plasma level determinations are frequently undertaken without good cause and results acted upon inappropriately 1 . Conversely, in other instances, plasma levels are underused.