Chapter 4: Pharmacokinetics Flashcards
Pharmacokinetics
the study of drug movement throughout the body.
4 basic pharmacokinetic processes
- absorption
- distribution
- metabolism
- excretion
Absorption
Movement of a drug from site of administration to the bloodstream
Distribution
Movement of a drug through the bloodstream, across the interstitial spaces, and into cells
Metabolism (biotransformation)
Inactivation of drugs
usually takes place in the liver and catalyzed by the cytochrome P450 system of enzymes.
Excretion
Movement of drugs out of the body
elimination
metabolism plus excretion
phospholipids
the basic membrane structure consisting of a double layer of molecules (lipids)
3 ways drugs cross cell membranes
1) channels or pores
2) a transport system
3) direct penetration. (Most common)
channels or pores
- Very narrow
- Very few drugs use this method (ions)
transport system
- Carriers that move drugs from one side of the membrane to the other
- Some require energy
- All are selective
- P-glycoprotein is one that exists on many cells:
P-Glycoprotein
A transporter that can pump certain drugs out of epithelial cells back into the intestinal lumen. Exist in: 1. Liver – drugs into bile 2. Kidney – drugs into urine 3. Placenta – drugs into maternal blood 4. Brain – drugs into bloodstream
direct penetration
- Method for most drugs
- Dissolve in phospholipid membrane to move through
- Molecules must be lipid soluble
Polar molecules
Molecules with no net electrical charge, but have uneven distribution of electrons.
Positive and negative charges on opposite sides of the molecule.
Large polar molecules will not dissolve in non-polar substances
Ions
Molecules that have a net electrical charge (+ or -). Unable to cross membranes unless very small.
- Quaternary ammonium compounds
- pH-dependent ionization
Quaternary ammonium compounds
Carry a positive charge at all times
Because of the charge, these compounds are unable to cross most membranes.
pH-Dependent Ionization
Compounds that become ionized depending upon the pH of the environment (acids and bases)
Acids tend to give up hydrogen in alkaline environment
Bases tend to accept hydrogen in acidic environment
ionization
the process of an acid giving up a proton or a base accepting a proton
Ion Trapping (pH Partitioning)
pH may differ on two sides of a membrane
Drugs will accumulate on the side of a membrane favoring their ionization
Acidic drugs will accumulate on alkaline side; alkaline drugs will accumulate on the acidic side
Absorption
Movement from site of administration to blood.
Enhanced by: rapid dissolve, high lipid solubility, large surface area, and high blood flow.
Embolism
blood vessel blockage at a site distant from the point of administration
Oral absorption
Can be from the stomach, the intestine, or both
Oral Barriers
1) the layer of epithelial cells that lines the GI tract.
2) the capillary wall
what happens to drugs following their absorption from the GI tract
Must pass through the liver (via the portal blood), enter the inferior vena cava then reach general circulation. Some drugs undergo extensive hepatic metabolism.
bioavailability
The quantity of a drug available in the body after it is administered.
100% is recorded when drugs are administered IV.
Many drugs administered by mouth go through first-pass metabolism therefore, less than 100%.
Enteric-Coated
Material designed to dissolve in the small intestine but not the stomach.
1) to protect drugs from acid and pepsin in the stomach
2) to protect the stomach from drugs that can cause gastric discomfort
Sustained-Release
Capsules filled with tiny spheres that contain the actual drug; the individual spheres have coatings that dissolve at variable rates.
Distribution
the movement of drugs throughout the body
Exiting the Vascular System
Drugs in the vascular system pass between cells rather than through them, movement into the interstitial space is not impeded.