CHRONOPHARMACOLOGY - USING THE BODY CLOCK IN DRUG-THERAPY

This is the fifth and final article in a continuing education series o n chronobiology. Previous articles have provided an overview of chrono biology's general principles, and its relation to the endocrine system , melatonin, and myocardial infarction. This article discusses bow pha rmacologic therapy can be optimized by applying principles of chronobi ology. Drug absorption and excretion are influenced by circadian rhyth ms. Peak drug levels can be timed to coincide with the biologic rhythm of symptoms, and drug-level troughs can be scheduled to match the tim es the body is most sensitive to adverse drug effects. The treatment o f asthma and allergic rhinitis and the use of tumor chemotherapeutic a gents illustrate bow chronopharmacology is applied in practice.