pharmacokinetics Flashcards
define pharmacodynamics
The biochemical, physiological and molecular effects of a drug on the body
- what does the drug do to the body
define pharmacokinetics
the fate of a chemical substance administered to a living organism
- what the body does to the drug
what are the 4 stages of pharmacokinetic processes
- absorption - Transfer of a drug molecule from site of administration to systemic circulation
- distribution
- metabolism
- excretion
name routes of absorbtion
- IV - intravenous
- IA - intra-arterial
- IM - intramuscular
- SC - subcutaneous
- PO - oral
- SL - sublingual
- INH - inhaled
- PR - rectal
- PV - vaginal
- TOP - topical
- TD transdermal
- IT intrathecal
what are the % absorption into blood for each method of adminiteration
- IV and IA - 100% reaches systemic circulation
- all other routes must pass at least one membrane
Mechanisms for drug permeation across cell membranes can occur by:
Passive diffusion through hydrophobic membrane
for Lipid soluble molecules
Passive diffusion aqueous pores for Very small water soluble drugs (eg lithium)
Most drug molecules are too big
Carrier mediated transport for proteins which transport sugars, amino acids, neurotransmitters and trace metals (and some drugs)
what are the factors affecting drug absorption
- drug lipid solubility
- drug ionisation
how does drug ionisation affect drug absorption?
- unionised drug is lipid soluble and able to cross membrane barriers
Ionised drug has poor lipid solubility and therefore is poorly absorbed
Most drugs are weak acids or weak bases with ionisable groups
Proportion of ionisation depends on pH of the aqueous environment
how does drug lipid solubility affect drug absorption?
Lipid soluble molecules can diffuse through cell membranes (along concentration gradient)
Water soluble molecules cannot diffuse and must be transported via alternative mechanisms
what are the 2 major sites of drug absorption which can prevent it from reaching target
- small intestine
- stomach
give some patient and drug factors of oral drugs which affect absorption in the stomach
Patient factors
Food (full stomach will generally slow absorption)
Gastric motility (altered by drugs and disease state)
Previous surgery (eg gastrectomy)
Drug factors
Drug molecule may be digested by gastric enzymes (peptides, proteins)
Eg. insulin and biologicals (‘mab’ drugs)
Drug molecule may be degraded by low pH of stomach (benzylpenicillin)
Drug molecule pKa will alter proportion of ionised drug vs unionised drug
Weak acids are best absorbed in the stomach (weak bases are best absorbed in the intestine), explain why
- in acidic environments, weak acids remain unionised because the high conc of H+ drives equalibrium towards the unionised form - lipid soluble to cross the gastric mucosa
- weak bases would be poorly absorbed in the stomach because weak bases in acidic environemnts will be pushed towards being ionised as they accept H+ ions, this makes it non-lipid soluble meaning it cant cross the membrane
- in alkaline environements, weak bases become ionised so lipid soluble so it can travel over the membrane easier
- weak acids will become more unionised so less lipid soluble, making it harder to cross the membrane
outline some patient and drug factors affecting the absorption of oral medications in the small intestine.
Patient factors
Intestinal motility (altered by drugs and disease state)
Previous surgery (eg short bowel, ileostomy)
Malabsorption (cystic fibrosis, coeliac disease)
Drug factors
Lipid solubility (lipid soluble molecules readily absorbed)
Molecule size: very large molecules cannot be absorbed
Medicine formulation:
Tablet/capsule coating can delay time between administration and drug release
Modified release formulations slows rate of absorption (allowing less frequent dosing)
Substrate for p-glycoprotein
Subject to first pass metabolism
outline the role of P-glycoproteins and its role in drug absorption inhibition.
P-glycoproteins (P-gp) are drug transporter proteins widely distributed in body
Excretory function to remove toxic substances (incl drugs) out of cells
Situated in intestinal lumen to reduce absorption of exogenous substances from the GI tract
Mediate the efflux of drugs/toxins from intestinal mucosa into intestinal lumen
not all drugs are substarates for P-gp
examples include rivaroxaban, digoxin, taclimus
define bioavailability
Proportion of administered dose which reaches the systemic circulation:
explain bioavailability
Biologic activity near the site of absorption limiting the proportion of drug reaching the systemic circulation
Degradation by enzymes in intestinal wall
Absorption from intestine into hepatic portal vein and metabolism via liver enzymes
Degree of first pass metabolism can vary between individuals
Avoid by giving via routes that avoid sphlanchnic circulation (eg rectal, sublingual)