Basalrate

As a basal rate is referred to in drug therapy, the amount of a continuously administered, short-acting drug. It covers the basic needs of the active ingredient. Basal rates especially in insulin therapy with insulin pumps as well as in anesthesia, pain management and critical care medicine, for example as a continuous Periduralananalgesie with infusion or syringe pumps are used.

Advantage of continuous drug administration is to meet the needs better oncoming uniform maintenance of drug levels. Disadvantages are the increased equipment expense and the risk of infection by prolonged residence time of a parenteral access.

The basal rate can be varied according to need and time of day. In periods of increased drug demand - for example, after food intake in insulin therapy or acute pain with continuous pain - the amount of drug can be increased by additional administration of an appropriate dose ( bolus).