Method of monitoring patient compliance with medications prescriptions

• US 5,652,146 A
• Filed: 07/05/1996
• Issued: 07/29/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 11/02/1993
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: UD Testing Incorporated (U.D. Testing)
• Original Assignee: Private Clinic Laboratories, Inc.
• Inventors: Kell, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): ALEXANDER, LYLE
• Application Number:
  US08/675,863
• Time in Patent Office: 389 Days
• Field of Search: 436/63, 436/111, 436/171, 436/808, 436/901, 436/816
• US Class Current: 436/111
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/493 urine
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 33/9486 Analgesics, e.g. opiates, aspirine
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 10/40 for data related to laboratory analysis, e.g. patient specimen analysis
• CPC Class Codes: G16H 20/10 relating to drugs or medications, e.g. for ensuring correct administration to patients
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 90/10 Information and communication technologies [ICT] supporting adaptation to climate change, e.g. for weather forecasting or climate simulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/808 Automated or kit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/816 Alkaloids, amphetamines, and barbiturates
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 436/901 Drugs of abuse, e.g. narcotics, amphetamine
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 436/173845 Amine and quaternary ammonium

Abstract

A method of monitoring compliance of a patient that has been placed on a medication maintenance program with a prescribed medication dosage by determining a normalized urine medication concentration. An unadulterated urine sample is obtained from the patient. The urine medication concentration and urine specific gravity are measured. The normalized urine medication concentration is calculated as a function of the measured medication concentration in the urine and the urine specific gravity. The calculated normalized urine medication concentration is compared with an expected medication concentration value for the patient for the maintenance program prescribed to determine any significant differences therebetween as an indication of noncompliance. Alternatively, a urinary-parameter normalized urine medication concentration is calculated as a function of the measured medication concentration in the urine, the urine specific gravity and at least one selected pharmacokinetic parameter of the medication. The calculated urinary-parameter normalized urine medication concentration is compared with an expected medication concentration value for an average compliant patient for the maintenance program prescribed to determine any significant differences therebetween as an indication of noncompliance.

Claims

1. A method of monitoring compliance of a patient that has been placed on a benzodiazepine maintenance program with a prescribed benzodiazepine dosage, and with the method comprising the steps of

(a) obtaining a sample of the patient'"'"'s urine,

(b) measuring the concentration of the benzodiazepine in the urine, the urine specific gravity and at least one selected pharmacokinetic parameter of the benzodiazepine,

(c) calculating a urinary-parameter normalized urine benzodiazepine concentration as a function of the measured benzodiazepine concentration in the urine, the urine specific gravity adjusted to account for the difference between the measured specific gravity and a reference urine specific gravity, and body weight as one selected pharmacokinetic parameter in accordance with the equation

View Dependent Claims (2, 3)

2. A method of monitoring compliance of a patient that has been placed on a diazepam maintenance program in accordance with claim 1 and wherein step (b) the concentration of the diazepam is measured.

3. A method of monitoring compliance of a patient that has been placed on an alprazolam maintenance program in accordance with claim 1 and wherein step (b) the concentration of the alprazolam is measured.

4. A method of monitoring compliance of a patient that has been placed on an opioid maintenance program with a prescribed opioid dosage, and with the method comprising the steps of

(a) obtaining a sample of the patient'"'"'s urine,

(b) measuring the concentration of the opioid in the urine, the urine specific gravity and body weight,

(c) calculating a urinary-parameter normalized urine opioid concentration as a function of the measured opioid concentration in the urine, the urine specific gravity adjusted to account for the difference between the measured specific gravity and a reference urine specific gravity, and body weight in accordance with the equation

View Dependent Claims (5, 6)

5. A method of monitoring compliance of a patient that has been placed on a codeine maintenance plan in accordance with claim 4 and wherein step (b) the concentration of the codeine is measured.

6. A method of monitoring compliance of a patient that has been placed on an oxycodone maintenance plan in accordance with claim 4 and wherein step (b) the concentration of the oxycodone is measured.