Taipei Medical University

Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing in Renal Disease

Taipei Medical University

Pharmacokinetics: Drug Dosing in Renal Disease

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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
Intermediate level

Recommended experience

1 week to complete
at 10 hours a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

  • Estimate kidney function and calculate renal drug clearance using clinical biomarkers and standardized equations.

  • Adjust drug dosing regimens for renally impaired and dialysis patients using pharmacokinetic principles and TDM.

  • Manage AKI and CKD complications through evidence-based pharmacological interventions.

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Assessments

13 assignments

Taught in English
Recently updated!

June 2026

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There are 7 modules in this course

Module 1 introduces the physiological mechanisms of renal drug excretion, detailing the nephron functions of filtration, secretion, and reabsorption. It focuses on the quantitative assessment of kidney function through Glomerular Filtration Rate (GFR) and clinical biomarkers such as serum creatinine, Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN), and Cystatin-C. The text explains how to estimate creatinine clearance using standardized mathematical models, specifically the Cockcroft-Gault and MDRD equations for adults, and the Schwartz formula for pediatric patients. Additionally, it establishes the diagnostic criteria for staging chronic kidney disease based on GFR. Finally, the module demonstrates how to derive renal clearance values using both the excretion rate method and the urinary drug recovery method.

What's included

12 videos1 reading2 assignments1 discussion prompt

Module 2 examines the effects of renal failure on drug pharmacokinetics, specifically analyzing changes in absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). It details the principles for adjusting dosing regimens in renally impaired patients using elimination rate constant (K) ratios, mathematical equations, and clinical nomograms. The module demonstrates how to calculate individualized initial and maintenance doses through practical case studies, including tobramycin and digoxin. Finally, it emphasizes Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) strategies to ensure clinical efficacy and prevent toxicity for narrow-therapeutic-index medications

What's included

10 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

Module 3 focuses on the clinical application and pharmacokinetic management of aminoglycosides and vancomycin in patients with renal impairment. It compares their antimicrobial profiles and highlights their shared risks of nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity, underscoring the necessity of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM). The module demonstrates how to calculate patient-specific pharmacokinetic parameters, such as the elimination rate constant k, volume of distribution ($V$), and renal clearance, using intermittent infusion equations and plasma concentration data. Furthermore, it applies these concepts to clinical case studies, illustrating the process of determining individualized loading doses, maintenance regimens, and appropriate dosing intervals to safely achieve target peak and trough concentrations.

What's included

12 videos2 readings2 assignments1 discussion prompt

Module 4 examines the principles of renal dialysis and its pharmacokinetic implications for drug dosing in End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). It outlines the primary dialysis modalities, including hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis, alongside vascular access methods such as A-V fistulas. The module focuses on the quantitative assessment of dialysis clearance (dialysance) using the Arteriovenous (A-V) difference method and the dialysate method. Furthermore, it details the pharmacokinetic factors that determine a drug's dialyzability, such as molecular weight, protein binding, and volume of distribution. Finally, it summarizes the general principles for dosing adjustments in dialysis patients, including the timing of supplemental doses and the application of hemodialysis in managing specific drug overdoses.

What's included

9 videos1 reading2 assignments

This module addresses Acute Renal Failure (ARF), exploring its clinical definitions, epidemiology, and underlying risk factors. The module classifies ARF into pre-renal, intrinsic, and post-renal azotemia, detailing the distinct pathophysiological mechanisms for each category. It highlights the critical role of drug-induced nephrotoxicity, identifying high-risk agents such as aminoglycosides, contrast media, and NSAIDs. Furthermore, the module evaluates comprehensive management strategies, including preventive hydration protocols, pharmacological interventions utilizing loop diuretics, and the management of ARF-related complications. Finally, it reviews the specific clinical indications—using the AEIOU criteria—for initiating dialysis in acute settings.

What's included

8 videos1 reading2 assignments2 discussion prompts

Module 6 addresses the pathophysiology and clinical management of Acute Renal Failure (ARF) and the therapeutic approaches for chronic kidney disease (CKD) complications. It delineates the classification of ARF into pre-renal, intrinsic, and post-renal types to determine appropriate diagnostic and treatment pathways. The module also focuses on the management of hyperphosphatemia and renal osteodystrophy through the application of various phosphate binders and calcium therapies. Furthermore, it details the protocols for managing renal anemia, including the assessment of iron stores and the monitoring of erythropoietin therapy to achieve goal hemoglobin and hematocrit levels.

What's included

10 videos1 reading2 assignments1 discussion prompt

This assessment evaluates cumulative understanding of clinical pharmacokinetics across all six modules of the course and is designed to assess the ability to integrate and apply key pharmacokinetic concepts in clinically relevant situations. It requires learners to demonstrate overall mastery of core principles and their application to patient care, including the interpretation of drug concentration data and the use of pharmacokinetic reasoning to support safe and effective dosing decisions.

What's included

1 assignment1 discussion prompt

Instructor

Hsiang-Yin Shawn Chen
Taipei Medical University
3 Courses121 learners

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