Research

Our research focuses on clinical pharmacology and pharmacometrics in anaesthesiology and pain medicine. We use data from clinical drug trials and observational studies together with population pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic modelling, simulation, and other quantitative methods to study variability in drug exposure and response.

A major theme of our work is individualized and model-informed drug therapy. We investigate how patient characteristics, pharmacogenomic factors, comedications, and other covariates influence the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of anaesthetic and analgesic drugs. Current research includes opioid and adjuvant analgesic therapy, anaesthetic pharmacology, individualized dosing, target-controlled infusion, and drug–drug interactions.

Our earlier work has addressed interindividual variability in drug–drug interactions and pharmacokinetic–pharmacodynamic relationships, while more recent studies have expanded towards model-informed precision dosing, pharmacogenomics, and quantitative evaluation of dosing strategies in specific patient populations.

We collaborate with research groups in Finland and internationally, including partners in clinical pharmacology, anaesthesiology, pharmacometrics, paediatrics, and perioperative medicine.

For further information, please contact me at teisaa(at)utu.f

Selected publications:

1. Rantanen M, Launiainen T, Niemi M, Olkkola KT, Soukka H, Saari TI. Systematic evaluation of propofol population pharmacokinetic models and development of a literature-supported new meta-model for critically ill preterm and term neonates. Eur J Pharm Sci. 2026;227:107659.
   DOI: 10.1016/j.ejps.2026.107659

2. Rantanen M, Keski-Nisula J, Olkkola KT, Neuvonen PJ, Pesonen E, Suominen P, Saari TI. Population pharmacokinetics of methylprednisolone in neonates and paediatric patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopulmonary bypass. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2026;82:235.
   DOI: 10.1007/s00228-026-04168-7

3. Ashraf MW, Poikola S, Neuvonen M, Kiiski JI, Kontinen VK, Olkkola KT, Backman JT, Niemi M, Saari TI. Population Pharmacokinetic Quantification of CYP2D6 Activity in Codeine Metabolism in Ambulatory Surgical Patients for Model-Informed Precision Dosing. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2024;63:1547–1560.
   DOI: 10.1007/s40262-024-01433-9

4. Saari TI, Strang J, Dale O. Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics of Naloxone. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2024;63:397–422.
   DOI: 10.1007/s40262-024-01355-6

5. Brinck ECV, Virtanen T, Mäkelä S, et al. S-ketamine in patient-controlled analgesia reduces opioid consumption in a dose-dependent manner after major lumbar fusion surgery: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. PLoS One. 2021;16:e0252626.
   DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0252626

6. Ashraf MW, Uusalo P, Scheinin M, Saari TI. Population Modelling of Dexmedetomidine Pharmacokinetics and Haemodynamic Effects After Intravenous and Subcutaneous Administration. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2020;59:1467–1482.
   DOI: 10.1007/s40262-020-00900-3

7. Peltoniemi MA, Hagelberg NM, Olkkola KT, Saari TI. Ketamine: A Review of Clinical Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics in Anesthesia and Pain Therapy. Clin Pharmacokinet. 2016;55:1059–1077.
   DOI: 10.1007/s40262-016-0383-6

8. Jeleazcov C, Ihmsen H, Saari TI, Rohde D, Mell J, Fröhlich K, Krajinovic L, Fechner J, Schwilden H, Schüttler J. Patient-controlled Analgesia with Target-controlled Infusion of Hydromorphone in Postoperative Pain Therapy. Anesthesiology. 2016;124:56–68.
   DOI: 10.1097/ALN.0000000000000937

9. Saari TI, Grönlund J, Hagelberg NM, Neuvonen M, Laine K, Neuvonen PJ, Olkkola KT. Effects of itraconazole on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenously and orally administered oxycodone. Eur J Clin Pharmacol. 2010;66:387–397.
   DOI: 10.1007/s00228-009-0775-8

10. Saari TI, Laine K, Leino K, Valtonen M, Neuvonen PJ, Olkkola KT. Effect of voriconazole on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of intravenous and oral midazolam. Clin Pharmacol Ther. 2006;79:362–370.
    DOI: 10.1016/j.clpt.2005.12.305