Pharmacokinetics (Chapter 2) Flashcards
what are the four effects of the body on the drug that pharmacokinetics study ?
absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion
what is the definition of the study of pharmacokinetics
study of the effects of the body on the drug
what are the two routes by which drugs are administered and absorbed ?
enteral and parenteral
what is enteral absorption ?
any drug absorbed through the GI tract
what are 4 examples of enteral routes
oral
sublingual
buccal
rectal
what is parenteral absorption ?
any route other than intestine
what are 4 examples of parenteral routes
inhalation
injections
skin rubbing (topical)
skin crossing (transdermal)
what are the pros of the oral route ?
most common because it is easier for adherence.
where is the drug absorbed if it’s ingested orally ?
the small intestine
what are the cons of the oral route ?
drug needs to have special qualities to pass the GI membrane to get into the blood- this means that a protein-based drug like insulin is better injected because otherwise the stomach will digest it.
what is bioavailability ?
the portion of the drug that reaches the systemic circulation and thus has the ability to produce a biological effect.
what is the first pass effect ?
phenomenon of drug metabolism whereby the concentration of a drug is greatly reduced before it reaches the systemic circulation.
after taking the drug it is absorbed by stomach and intestines and transported through the liver via the portal vein. The liver destroys/ excretes part of the drug so only a proportion of the drug makes it to the blood circulation.
explain the elements that influence person-to-person variability of bioavailability of oral administered drugs.
- the simple fact that the amount and rate may vary
- food consumption
- visceral blood flow
- stomach acidity
- stomach emptying
what are the considerations for an athlete when it comes to consuming drugs ?
in competition or in training they have less visceral blood flow, therefore they will have a slower release of oral route drugs
what is the pathway for a drug ingested sublingually or buccally ?
oral mucosa of mouth - veins draining into superior vena cava- heart.
how can one avoid the first pass effect ? what are the implications ?
by not ingesting orally and instead ingesting sublingually or buccally. drugs ingested this way bypass the liver. a lower dosage is therefore recommended because it’s not degraded to the same extent.
when is a drug consumed rectally ? what are its pros and cons
it’s convenient for vomiting or unconscious patient, usually used for a local effect (hemorroids).
however, absorbed poorly, and causes irritation.
what are the advantages of parenteral absorption ?
direct delivery (bypasses GI tract and usually liver), therefore quantity more predictable in blood or tissue.
what are the advantages and limitations of inhaling a drug ?
avantages: large alveolar surface area to cross membrane into pulmonary circulation, meaning there is a rapid entry into the blood stream.
limitations: drug mustn’t irritate alveoles. also, people don’t always do it properly.