Product Description

'The third edition of "The Renal Drug Handbook" is a fantastic publication. Each of us needs to be wary of prescribing for renal patients and this handbook provides a highly practical, user-friendly method of ensuring that appropriate prescriptions are given to patients, whether they have normal renal function, renal impairment, transplants or are receiving renal replacement therapy. In addition, the authors give very helpful information on pharmacokinetics and common indications for the use of each drug described. This information is not available in any other single textbook. It is an invaluable resource for all healthcare professionals but particularly for those involved in the care of renal patients. A copy of the previous editions could be found chained to notes trolleys in all of the wards where renal patients are cared for in my hospital. This third edition is even more comprehensive' - Aine Burns, Consultant Nephrologist, Centre for Nephrology, Royal Free NHS Trust.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #240194 in Books
• Published on: 2008-11-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 794 pages

About the Author
Respectively Principal Pharmacist Renal Services, Royal Free Hospital, London; Senior Pharmacist Renal Services, Queen Margaret Hospital NHS Trust, Dunfermline

Customer Reviews

Essential reading for all renal specialist pharmacists
This well laid out, concise and informative book is a must for all clinical pharmacists looking after patients with renal impairment. Its pocket size design makes for easy access. The alphabetical listing of medicines makes for easy reference and its no-nonsense, practical, but detailed summaries are ideal for busy pharmacists, doctors and nurses. A lot of information is provided on unlicenced medicines bourne out of practical experience; this information is invaluable as it is rarely available in general text books. A real find, I am so pleased to have found this little gem.

The ideal quick reference
This book is an excellent quick reference source for those working on renal wards. It is well laid out and clear, with additional information such as adverse effects and interactions where relevant.

There are three reasons why it doesn't get five stars from me:

1. the printing error in the meropenem section (dose for GFR 20-50ml/min should be 500mg-2g every 12 hours NOT 500mg-1g every 12 hours);

2. the book does not indicate where it departs from the licensed doses; while sometimes it's necessary to use unlicensed doses, you should at least be aware when you're doing it;

3. it does not take into account special populations; the ceftazidime monograph, for instance, does not reflect the fact that the SPCs for ceftazidime state that the doses may be increased by 50% over those in the table of renal doses in patients with serious infections who would normally be prescribed 2g tds, particularly neutropenic patients. Following the Renal Drug Handbook without consulting the SPC in this group of patients would, therefore, potentially lead to underdosing and therapeutic failure.

That said, it's a fantastic resource and one I wouldn't want to be without - you just have to be aware of its limitations.