pharmacokinetics basics

Question 1

what is pharmacokinetics

Answer 1

pharmacokinetics = what your body does to a drug

Question 2

state the different actions your body does to drugs(ADME)

Answer 2

absorption, excretion, metabolism and distribution

Question 3

describe what is meant by the absorption and excretion of a drug by the body

Answer 3

absorption = drug is absorbed from point of administration, enters into the plasma 
excretion = drug and/or drug metabolites are excreted through urine, faeces or bile

Question 4

describe what is meant by the distribution and metabolism of drugs by the body

Answer 4

distribution = drug reversibly leaves bloodstream and is distributed into interstitial and intracellular fluids
metabolism = drug transformation by metabolism, may be by liver or other tissues

Question 5

describe the different ways in which drugs move around the body

Answer 5

bulk flow, via circulatory system
diffusion of drug molecules over short distances
solubility and size of molecules effect their diffusion

Question 6

describe how the cell membrane acts as a barrier

Answer 6

it acts as a barrier between the aqueous compartments of the body, it separates the intracellular and extracellular compartments