ACE inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers monitoring
Estimated glomerular filtration rate or Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance)
Serum sodium
Serum potassium
Serum sodium
Serum potassium
Estimated glomerular filtration rate or Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance)
Post myocardial infarction
Blood pressure
Serum sodium
Serum potassium
Estimated glomerular filtration rate or Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance)
Post myocardial infarction
Annually
BP
Na
K
eGFR or CrCl
Apr 23, 2025
Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors monitoring
Weightfor rivastigmine and galantamine, since decreased appetite possible
Jul 5, 2021
Alfacalcidol monitoring
Alkaline Phosphatase
Parathyroid hormone
Serum calciumideally corrected for protein binding
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance)
Serum magnesium
Serum phosphate
Alkaline Phosphatase
Parathyroid hormone
Serum calciumideally corrected calcium for protein binding
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance)
Serum magnesium
Serum phosphate
2/52 - 4/52
ALP
PTH
Ca
CrCl
Mg
Phosphate
Consider
3/12
ALP
PTH
Ca
CrCl
Mg
Phosphate
May 15, 2023
Amiodarone monitoring
Liver function tests
Serum magnesium
Serum potassium
Thyroid function tests
Urea and electrolytes
Pulmonary toxicity suspected
Thyroid dysfunction suspected
Thyroid stimulating hormone
Ophthalmological examination
Pulmonary toxicity suspected
Thyroid dysfunction suspected
Visual symptoms present
Annually
Ophthalmological examination
Feb 4, 2025
Azathioprine monitoring
Albumin
ALT or AST
Full blood count
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Calculated glomerular filtration rate
Liver function tests
Full blood count
Methylmercaptopurine to Thioguanine ratio
3/12
Albumin
ALT or AST
FBC
CrCl or cGFR
LFTs
FBC
Consider
Periodically
Skin examination
Jul 2, 2024
Carbamazepine monitoring
Urea and electrolytesmore frequently if clinically indicated
Liver function testsparticularly in patients with a history of liver disease and in elderly patients
Plasma carbamazepine concentration
Consider
Periodically
Plasma carbamazepine concentration
Jul 6, 2021
Carbimazole monitoring
Thyroid stimulating hormone
Free T3if TSH below reference range
Free T4if TSH above reference range
Creatine phosphokinaseif patient experiencing myalgia
Full blood countin patients who may be confused or have poor memory
Consider
Periodically
Free T3
Free T4
CPK
FBC
Apr 17, 2024
Ciclosporin monitoring
Albumin
ALT or AST
Blood pressure
Blood glucose
Full blood count
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Calculated glomerular filtration rate
Serum potassium
Serum magnesium
Urate
Every 1 -3 months
Albumin
ALT or AST
BP
Blood glucose
FBC
CrCl or cGFR
Jul 2, 2024
Corticosteroids monitoring
HbA1cmonitor people with confirmed diabetes mellitus more closely, depending on clinical judgement
Optometrist examearlier for those with symptoms of cataracts
Serum potassium
Triglycerides
At 12 months; then annually or every 2-3 years depending on risk
Periodically at appointments
Blood pressure
Falls risk assessmentwhere appropriate
Signs of adrenal suppressionfollow advice if long-term or regular oral corticosteroids
Weight
Heightplot on a growth chart; refer to a paediatrician if growth suppression suspected
Every 6 - 12 months
Optometrist exam
K
Triglycerides
At 12 months; then annually or every 2-3 years depending on risk
BMD
Periodically at appointments
BP
Falls risk assessment
Signs of adrenal suppression
Wt
Jul 15, 2021
DOACs (Direct Oral Anticoagulants) monitoring
Annually; more frequently if clinical concerns
Full blood count
Liver function tests
Urea and electrolytes
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance)
DOAC review appointmentA more frequent review may be required depending on patient factors, such as renal impairment, age, and comorbidities.
Annually; more frequently if clinical concerns
FBC
LFTs
U&Es
CrCl
DOAC review appointment
May 21, 2025
Digoxin monitoring
Serum calcium
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance)
Serum magnesiumincreased frequency may be required if long-term PPI, other medicine pre-disposing to hypomagnesaemia, or low calcium level
Serum potassium
Urea and electrolytes
Periodically in specific circumstances
Serum digoxin concentrationtaken no less than 6 hours (ideally 8-12 hours) after last dose
Consider
Periodically in specific circumstances
Serum digoxin concentration
Dec 27, 2023
Dronedarone monitoring
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance)
Monthly for the first 6 months; then at month 9 and 12; then annually
Liver function testscontraindicated if severe hepatic impairment
Symptoms of heart failure
Lung disease screening
Monthly for the first 6 months; then at month 9 and 12; then annually
LFTs
Periodically
Symptoms of heart failure
Lung disease screening
Jul 14, 2021
Eplerenone monitoring
Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Serum potassiumadjust dose to level
Jul 14, 2021
Furosemide monitoring
Electrolytes
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance)
6 monthly
Electrolytes
CrCl
Feb 20, 2025
Hydroxycarbamide monitoring
Every 2-3 months; every 2 weeks if on maximum dose
Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH)
Liver function testsavoid in severe impairment; caution in mild to moderate
Urate
Urea and electrolytes
Full blood count
Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Liver function testsavoid in severe impairment; caution in mild to moderate
Uric acid
Sickle cell disease
Every 2-3 months; every 2 weeks if on maximum dose
FBC
Every 2 - 3 months
LDH
LFTs
Urate
U&Es
Other indications
Every 1 -3 months
FBC
eGFR
LFTs
Uric acid
Sep 20, 2023
Hydroxychloroquine monitoring
Annually if increased risk; otherwise once after 5 years and then annually
Ophthalmological examination
Albumin
ALT or AST
Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Skeletal muscle functionstop drug if weakness occurs
Tendon reflexesstop drug if weakness occurs
Weight
Annually if increased risk; otherwise once after 5 years and then annually
Ophthalmological examination
Consider
Periodically
Albumin
ALT or AST
eGFR
Skeletal muscle function
Tendon reflexes
Wt
Jul 15, 2021
Leflunomide monitoring
Blood pressure
Full blood count
Liver function testsincluding ALT or AST and albumin
Platelet count
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Calculated glomerular filtration rate
Weight
White blood cell differential
Every 2 - 3 months
BP
FBC
LFTs
Platelets
CrCl or cGFR
Wt
WCC differential
Jul 2, 2024
Levothyroxine monitoring
Thyroid stimulating hormoneused to monitor both adherence and to ensure dose remains correct
Jun 3, 2024
Lithium monitoring
Lithium levelstake sample just prior to time of next dose (i.e. trough level 12 hours following last dose)
Body weight or Body mass index
Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Serum calcium
Thyroid function tests
Urea and electrolytes
Every 3 -6 months
Lithium levels
6 monthly
Body weight or BMI
eGFR
Ca
TFTS
U&Es
Dec 6, 2024
Mercaptopurine monitoring
Full blood count
Liver function tests
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Urea and electrolytes
Consider
3/12
FBC
LFTs
CrCl or eGFR
U&Es
Sep 20, 2023
Mesalazine monitoring
Annually, more frequently in renal impairment
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Urea and electrolytes
Annually (depending on risk factors)
Full blood count
Liver function tests
Annually, more frequently in renal impairment
CrCl or eGFR
U&Es
Consider
Annually (depending on risk factors)
FBC
LFTs
Apr 29, 2025
Methotrexate monitoring
Full blood count
Liver function tests
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Full blood countconsider increasing frequency if high risk
Liver function testsconsider increasing frequency if high risk
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Type III Procollagen Peptide (PIIINP)if psoriasis; seek specialist advice if abnormal
Full blood countconsider increasing frequency if high risk
Liver function testsconsider increasing frequency if high risk
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Gastroenterology patients
Full blood count
Liver function tests
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Every 2 -3 months
FBC
LFTs
CrCl or eGFR
Dermatology patients
Every 2 -3 months
FBC
LFTs
CrCl or eGFR
Serum PIIINP
Rheumatology patients
At least every 12 weeks
FBC
LFTs
CrCl or eGFR
Gastroenterology patients
At least every 12 weeks
FBC
LFTs
CrCl or eGFR
Jul 2, 2024
Minocycline monitoring
Consider if treatment longer than 6 months
Full blood count
Liver function tests
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Consider if treatment longer than 6 months
Jul 5, 2021
Mycophenolate mofetil monitoring
Albumin
ALT or AST
Full blood count
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Calculated glomerular filtration rate
At least every 12 weeks
Albumin
ALT or AST
FBC
CrCl or cGFR
Jul 2, 2024
NSAIDs monitoring
Blood pressurein elderly, high risk patients, and patients taking COX-II inhibitors
Estimated glomerular filtration ratein renal impairment or where other drugs affecting renal function (e.g. ACE inhibitors)
Full blood count
Liver function testsin liver impairment or patients on long-term NSAIDs
Consider
Periodically
BP
eGFR
FBC
LFTs
Jun 22, 2021
Nitrofurantoin monitoring
Estimated glomerular filtration ratelong-term treatment contraindicated if less than 45mL/minute/1.73m2
Liver function testschronic active hepatitis, occasionally leading to hepatic necrosis, is possible with long-term (greater than 6 months) therapy
Pulmonary symptomsespecially important in elderly
Consider
Periodically
eGFR
LFTs
Pulmonary symptoms
Jul 5, 2021
Penicillamine monitoring
Monthly for 12 months; then every 3 months
Albumin
ALT or AST
Full blood count
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Urinalysis
Monthly for 12 months; then every 3 months
Albumin
ALT or AST
FBC
CrCl or eGFR
Urinalysis
Jul 5, 2021
Phenytoin monitoring
Bone metabolism e.g. calcium or ALP
Full blood count
Liver function tests
Urea and electrolytes
Vitamin D
Bone metabolism e.g. calcium or ALP
Plasma phenytoin concentration
Every 2-5 years
Bone metabolism
FBC
LFTs
U&Es
Vit D
Consider
Periodically
Plasma phenytoin concentration
Jun 22, 2021
Pioglitazone monitoring
HbA1cDiscontinue if inadequate response after 3-6 months
Liver function testsif ALT greater than 3 x upper limit of normal: reassess as soon as possible; discontinue if persists
Weightweight gain may be due to fluid retention; a symptom of heart failure
Apr 29, 2024
Spironolactone monitoring
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Urea and electrolytes
Heart failure
Every 3 -6 months
CrCl or eGFR
U&Es
Jul 5, 2021
Statins monitoring
ALT or AST
non-HDL cholesterol (non-fasting)to inform annual review
HDL cholesterol (non-fasting)to inform annual review
Total cholesterol (non-fasting)to inform annual review
Triglycerides (non-fasting)to inform annual review
Consider
Annually
ALT or AST
non-HDL cholesterol (non-fasting)
Total cholesterol (non-fasting)
Triglycerides (non-fasting)
Nov 6, 2024
Sulfasalazine monitoring
At least every 12 weeks for first 12 months
Albumin
ALT or AST
Full blood count
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Calculated glomerular filtration rate
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rate
At least every 12 weeks for first 12 months
Albumin
ALT or AST
FBC
CrCl or cGFR
Jul 2, 2024
Tacrolimus monitoring
Required following renal, liver or heart transplant
When interacting medicines prescribed; dose or formulation changed; or unexplained graft dysfunction
Whole blood trough tacrolimus level
Consider following renal, liver or heart transplant
Routinely at clinic visits (indicatively from 3 months, every 2-4 weeks; from 4 months, every 4-6 weeks; from 12 months, every 3-6 months)
Plasma proteins
Clotting screening
Visual acuity
Liver function tests
Serum creatinine (for creatinine clearance) or Estimated glomerular filtration rate
Urea and electrolytes
Fasting blood glucose
Blood pressure
Full blood count
At least twice annually for first 5 years; then annually
Lipids
Hepatitis B surface antibodiesrevaccinate if titre below 10mIU/mL
Required following renal, liver or heart transplant
When interacting medicine prescribed; dose or formulation changed; or unexplained graft dysfunction
Whole blood trough tacrolimus level
Consider following renal, liver or heart transplant
Routinely at clinic visits (indicatively from 3 months, every 2-4 weeks; from 4 months, every 4-6 weeks; from 12 months, every 3-6 months)
Plasma proteins
Clotting screening
Visual acuity
LFTs
CrCl or eGFR
U&Es
FBG
BP
FBC
At least twice annually for first 5 years; then annually
Skin examination
Annually
Lipids
Hepatitis B surface antibodies
Jul 14, 2021
Theophylline monitoring
Plasma theophylline concentrationincrease frequency or monitor one-off for some patients; for MR preparations, take levels 4-6 hours after dose
Full blood count
Serum potassium
Every 6 - 12 months
Plasma theophylline concentration
May 15, 2023
Valproic acid and Sodium valproate monitoring
At 6 months, then annually
Body mass index
Full blood count
Liver function tests
Before surgery or following spontaneous bleeding or bruising
Clotting screeningincluding bleeding time and coagulation tests
Full blood count
At 6 months, then annually
BMI
FBC
LFTs
Before surgery or following spontaneous bleeding or bruising
Once
Clotting screening
FBC
Jul 15, 2021
Warfarin monitoring
Every 12 weeks; more frequently if needed
INRincrease frequency if high risk patient, poor control, or interacting medicine
Every 12 weeks; more frequently if needed
INR
May 15, 2023