Selection of analytic methods for therapeutic drug monitoring.

Selection of an analytic method for therapeutic drug monitoring usually involves an initial choice between chromatography and immunoassay. Once this decision has been made, numerous options remain within these two broad categories. There is no single correct or preferred assay technique. The best decision, based on technical, clinical, and economic considerations, will vary in different clinical and laboratory environments. The laboratory that has sufficient resources to maintain more than one type of technology will have a greater degree of flexibility in solving special problems.