Cramer J A, Scheyer R D, Mattson R H
Neurology Service, Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, West Haven, Conn. 06516.
Arch Intern Med. 1990 Jul;150(7):1509-10.
Adherence to prescribed drug dosing regimens declined substantially during the interval between clinic visits and drug level tests. Using microelectronic monitors to observe pill-taking habits, 20 patients averaged 88% compliance before and 86% compliance after the visit, but this dropped to 67% compliance a month later. These data indicate that spot drug levels do not represent long-term "steady-state" drug serum concentrations.
