Pharmacology Research
Through world-class research we are supporting the discovery of new medicines and improving the effectiveness of established medicines to help fight diseases.
Pharmacology Research Projects
Development of a LC-MS/MS method for monitoring metformin for patients with diabetes
Status: Complete Year: 2020 Funded: $5,000 Grant Type: Grant in Aid
Metformin is first-line treatment of type 2 diabetes. Lactic acidosis is a rare but life-threatening complication which can occur due to metformin accumulation during treatment. We will develop a laboratory test for monitoring metformin levels to enable the safe use of metformin in patients with kidney disease.
Researcher // Dr Mei Zhang – University of Otago
Determination of Effect site targets for Sevoflurane
Status: Complete Year: 2006 Funded: $28,390 Grant Type: Major Project Grant
The equivalent of 10% of the population will undergo anaesthesia in any year. In Christchurch this translates to about 40,000 anaesthetics per year, and nationally 400,000. The majority of anaesthetics are based around inhalational or volatile agents. Anaesthetic requirements change considerably and rapidly at different stages of a surgical procedure. By improving the dosing of these drugs through research, there is enormous potential to both improve patient outcome and to achieve significant cost savings.
Researcher // Dr Ross Kennedy –University of Otago
Dr Kennedy's research interests lie in model volatile anaesthetic uptake and distribution; effect-site volatile anaesthetic levels needed for various levels of surgical stimulus; nitrous oxide kinetic analysis; and the effect of depth of anaesthesia on long-term outcomes.