Which drug group typically requires both peak and trough measurements?

The drug group that typically requires both peak and trough measurements is aminoglycoside antibiotics. This class of medications, which includes drugs such as gentamicin, tobramycin, and amikacin, is critical for effectively treating serious infections, especially those caused by Gram-negative bacteria.

Monitoring peak and trough levels is essential for aminoglycosides due to their narrow therapeutic index and potential for toxicity. The peak level is measured to ensure that the drug concentration is high enough to be effective at killing bacteria, while the trough level is monitored to ensure that the concentration does not fall below effective levels and also to minimize the risk of nephrotoxicity (kidney damage) and ototoxicity (ear damage).

Those factors make understanding the pharmacokinetics of aminoglycosides particularly important in clinical settings, as both under-dosing and overdosing can lead to poor patient outcomes. Therefore, frequent monitoring of peak and trough levels helps in adjusting dosages to maintain therapeutic efficacy while minimizing adverse effects.