Prescribing Medicines for Children. From Drug Development to Practical Administration

Description

This book uncovers the principles behind optimal neonatal and paediatric prescribing. It goes into depth about the current state of neonatal and paediatric prescribing, the challenges presented by specific clinical areas as well as focusing on current research. Written by experts in the field, this book reveals the rationale behind dosing and equips the reader with a solid understanding of the validity of dosing errors and safety.

Contents

Section 1: Basic Clinical Pharmacology
General Principles of Clinical Pharmacology
Drug Absorption
Drug Distribution – from neonate to adolescent
Drug Metabolism – adaptation over age
Drug Excretion – liver and renal maturation
Pharmacokinetics – from neonate to adolescent
Pharmacodynamics – based on practical examples
Pharmacogenetics and pharmacogenomics
Prescribing in Liver Disease
Prescribing in Renal Disease
Adverse Drug Reactions – Types A-E

Section 2: Medicines for Children
Therapeutic index
Drug discovery – animal and preclinical studies
Formulations for children
Understanding clinical trials
Pharmacovigilance and pharmacoepidemiology
European paediatric regulations
US pediatric regulations
The role of the pharmaceutical industry in developing new medicines for children
Neonatal drug development
Optimal prescribing in the resource poor setting
Evidence based prescribing
Improving training in clinical prescribing

Section 3: Specific Clinical Prescribing Areas
Gastrointestinal system
Cardiovascular system
Respiratory system
Central nervous system
Infections and vaccines
Endocrinology
Renal disease
Haemato-oncology and immunodeficiency
Malnutrition
Musculoskeletal disease
Eye and ENT disease
Dermatology

Section 4: Developing Good Practice
Improving practical prescribing
Setting priorities lists for research
GRIP and the new training initiatives
Harmonising international prescribing

Appendices
Key references, websites, bibliography and future reading
Useful reference tables such as Surface Area and other prescribing aids