Basic Principles 2 Flashcards
Define Apparent volume of distribution (Vd) ?
This is the apparent volume into which the drug is distributed, usually expressed in litres (L)
Drugs administered orally may undergo ?
Extensive first-pass metabolism
Metabolism by enzymes in gut wall and in the liver, before systemic circulation results in ?
Low bioavailability
Such drugs therefore require ?
Higher oral dose (e.g. propranolol), or administered via routes that can avoid first pass metabolism: IV, IM, sublingual, nasal, rectal, transdermal, etc
Drugs are only effective if ?
They reach the target cells, at an appropriate concentration
Distribution of drugs depends on ?
- Permeability across membranes
- Binding within compartments
- pH partitioning
- Fat:water partitioning coefficient
Total body water is about ?
60-80% of total body weight, and this is contained in different compartments:
- Blood plasma
- Interstitial fluid (between cells)
- Intracellular fluid (inside cells)
- Transcellular fluid (e.g. cerebrospinal, intraocular, peritoneal fluid)
Name two beta blockers ?
Propranolol and Atenolol
Explain Propranolol ?
It can cause sleep disturbances (vivid dreams); atenolol less so
Propranolol vs Atenolol
Propranolol is more lipid soluble and can cross BBB. Whereas Atenolol is more water soluble and does not cross BBB
How about Psychoactive drugs ?
This is are things such as nicotine, caffeine, LSD and MDMA. They are highly lipid soluble and
therefore able to pass through the blood brain barrier
Drugs are often ?
Bound to proteins, but only free, unbound drugs are biologically active and can move between compartments
In some cases, up to ?
99% of total drug can be bound to proteins (e.g. warfarin)
What is Albumin and explain the binding ?
is the main drug-binding protein. Others include α1-acid glycoprotein and β-globulin. Binding is rapidly reversible and non-specific.
Plasma proteins do not reflect ?
The target tissue, binding produces no physiological effect.
What does binding form ? and which drugs exerts its therapeutic effect ?
Forms a reservoir of drugs. Only the free, unbound drug is available to the tissue to exert its therapeutic effect.
What is the Apparent volume of distribution ?
This is the hypothetical volume into which the drug (Q) would be distributed in order to obtain the measured plasma concentration (Cp) and account for the total amount of drug administered
Q = dose in mg Cp = plasma concentration in mg/L
What does Vd tell us about distribution of a drug in humans ?
- Large molecules that are retained in plasma
e. g. heparin, an anticoagulant - too large to cross capillary wall - Small polar molecules that cannot enter the cells
e. g. antibiotics such as gentamicin - Small drugs that easily cross membranes
e. g. Ethanol, phenytoin - Very hydrophobic, lipid-soluble drugs
e. g. thiopental
Plasma concentration decreases ?
Over time as drug is excreted and/or metabolised
How is drug eliminated ?
Metabolism and Excretion
Explain how Metabolism does this ?
- Two phases of drug metabolism
- Cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes
- Enzyme induction and inhibition
- First-pass metabolism