The Medicine Semester 2 Flashcards
Define kinetics.
Measures the rate at which the concentration of a reactant (or product) changes.
Give three examples of protecting drugs from alteration within community pharmacy.
Expiry date
Light protective packaging
Moisture excluding packaging
What are thermodynamics?
The factors which contribute to allowing a reaction to occur.
How can the rate of the following reaction be defined?
aA + bB = cC + dD
rate= -1/a x d[A]/dt
= -1/b x d[B]/dt
=1/c x d[C]/dt
= 1/d x d[D]/dt
How can reaction rate be expressed?
Rate= k[A]^m[B]^n
Is the rate law only predicted by the reactants and their respective stoichiometry?
No, as it is determined experimentally and other parameters may affect it.
How is the rate law determined?
Experimentally
In the following reaction what is the order when m equals…?
rate=k[A]^m
m=1
m=0
m=1, first order reaction where if [A] doubles, the rate doubles.
m=0, zero order reaction, the rate remains constant.
Define a zero order reaction.
Reaction that proceeds at a constant rate that is independent of the concentration of the reactant.
What are the standard units of the rate constant in a zero order reaction?
mol l-1 s-1
In a zero order reaction, how can rate be calculated using concentration of drug?
x= decomposed amount
x= kt
[A] remaining
[A]t= [A]o -kt
Both give straight line graphs against time where the second gives negative rate and first gives positive rate
Define a first order reaction.
The reaction proceeds at a rate that is dependent on the concentration of one reactant.
How is the rate of a first order reaction calculated?
dx/dt= k(a-x) a= initial concentration of reactant x= amount decomposed at t
What are the standard units of the rate constant in a first order reaction?
s-1
How can the rate of a first order reaction be accurately determined?
A graph of log([A]) over time gives a straight line from which the rate can be determined.
The gradient will equal -k/2.303.
log([A]t)= log([A]o)- kt/2.303
What is a pseudo first order reaction?
More than one reacting species but still follows first order kinetics. For example, if a reactant is in large excess its change in concentration is negligible.
Define a reaction half life.
The time it takes for the concentration of a reactant to decrease by half of its original value.
What is the expression for half life in a zero order reaction?
t(1/2)= 0.5[A]o/k
What is the expression for half life in a first order reaction?
t(1/2)= 0.693/k
What are the two main barriers drugs have to cross in the body?
Gastro intestinal tract
Blood-brain barrier
Define partitioning.
The movement or redistribution of organic compounds from one liquid to another.
How can biological barriers be recreated experimentally?
Using a system containing two immiscible liquids, one aqueous and the other organic.
How does a liquid become saturated during partitioning?
If an excess of an organic compound is added to a mixture of two immiscible liquids it will partition itself between the two liquids. If not in excess it will be distributed according to a definite ratio.
What is the partition coefficient?
P=Corg/Caq
Where C is the concentration of the drug
The ratio of concentration of a compound in organic phase to aqueous phase and equilibrium.
What is the True partition coefficient?
The partition coefficient of an unionised drug.
What kind of drug is it if Ptrue> 1?
A hydrophobic compound because Corg>Caq.
What does the log of a partition coefficient show about a drug?
If LogP=1, P=10. Therefore Corg:Caq=10:1 so solubility of the compound in organic phase is ten times higher, making it hydrophobic.
What can be determined from the partition coefficient?
Absorption, distribution, elimination.
What is chemical polarity?
Describes how equally bonding electrons are shared between atoms and affects other physical properties.
What do the Hansch-Fujita parameters show?
They describe the contribution of various functional groups to the lipophilicity of a compound.
What are the Hansch-Fujita parameters (+pi)?
Aromatic hydrocarbons
Aliphatic hydrocarbons
Halogens
A predominance of (+pi) groups will lead to an increase in the partition coefficient.
What are the Hansch-Fujita parameters (-pi)?
Hydroxyl group Carboxyl group Amines Ether Amide A predominance of (-pi) groups will lead to a decrease in the partition coefficient.
For partitioning to work what form should a drug be in?
It’s unionised form to allow passive diffusion across a membrane.
What is the apparent partition coefficient?
The distribution coefficient, takes into account the pH at which it is measured.
How is the apparent partition coefficient calculated?
Papp= Ptrue x f(unionised)
where f is the fraction of the drug that is unionised.
When are the apparent and true partition coefficient equal?
When a drug is totally unionised.
When can partitioning rules be applied to reabsorption in the kidneys?
If the reabsorption of the drugs occurs via passive diffusion of an unionised drug form.
What is forced base diuresis?
If overdose occurs and the drug is a weak acid, reabsorption can be minimised by basifying the urine, by administering sodium bicarbonate.
What is mass transfer?
The net movement of mass from one location to another, e.g. absorption, precipitation, dissolution.
What is the driving force of mass transfer?
The difference of chemical potential (change of Gibbs free energy with number of particles), down a concentration gradient.
Give an example of gaseous mass transfer in pharmacy.
Gas may permeate through plastic packaging and degrade formulation.
Give an example of mass transfer in tablet formulations.
Tablet may disintegrate causing solid dissolution to take place.
Describe mass transfer in terms of diffusion.
Diffusion explains mass transfer in the absence of addition forces such as flow or electric field.
What is the diffusion coefficient?
A characteristic of a molecule in its environment.
What does diffusion represent?
How rapidly molecules cover an area.
What is the unit of the diffusion coefficient?
area/time
What is permeability?
The product of the diffusion coefficient and partition coefficient of a molecule.
What mostly effects rate and extend of absorption?
Effective drug concentration which depends on adsorption, stability, micellar solubilisation.
What is drug absorption influenced by?
pKa, lipid solubility, molecular weight, number of hydrogen bonds.
Where does the rate of absorption of weak acids tend to be highest and why?
In the small intestine as it has a significantly larger surface area and its residence time is much longer than in the stomach.
What is the Stokes-Einstein relation?
Used to measure size of drug molecules and novel therapeutics.
What is the importance of drug stability?
Effective treatment and reduced toxicity
Financial loss if stock expires quickly
What are the two reactions to consider when thinking about stability?
Free radical oxidation
Hydrolysis
How is the stability of ester-containing drugs affected?
Give examples of drugs.
Slow hydrolysis under neutral conditions
E.g. Aspirin, procaine, warfarin (cyclic ester)
What are cyclic esters known as?
Lactones
How should ester-containing drugs be stored?
Airtight container to prevent access of moisture.
Why are amides and carbamates less prone to hydrolysis?
Due to resonance with the C=O bond, exception in penicillins due to steric strain within the ring.
How is the risk of hydrolysis reduced with penicillins?
Pharmacist adds water at dispensing.
Stored in the fridge once made up.
Which drug types are more likely to undergo free radical oxidation?
Phenolic drugs e.g. paracetamol, morphine
Aromatic amines e.g. procaine
Unsaturated aliphatic compounds e.g. oils, fats, vitamin A
When is free radical oxidation most likely to occur?
Higher pH makes process more rapid.
How do free radicals form?
Exposure to light can promote electrons to an excited state.
Transition metals can accept an electron and initiate radical formation.
Oxygen forms peroxide radicals in presence of light.
How can free radical formation be prevented?
Stored in containers that exclude oxygen or contain another gas instead such as nitrogen.
Addition of metal chelating agent such as EDTA.
Storage in foil packaging or brown bottles.
Addition of anti-oxidants such as ascorbic acid.
How do you determine the rate of a reaction?
Modify data so they can be tested in all integrated laws, plot graphs for zero and first order and decide which graph follows the best model.
Define shelf life.
The time it takes for 90% of the initial amount of drug to remain. The time during which the product retains the same properties and characteristics it possessed when manufactured.
What is stability testing used for?
Provide evidence as to how the quality of the drug product varies over time.
Establish the shelf life.
Determine recommended storage conditions and container closure system suitability.
Why is stability testing necessary?
Legally required
Chemical degradation leads to degradation of drug concentration.
A toxic product may be formed.
Assurance to the patient..
What stability tests are solid form drugs submitted to?
Heat, moisture uptake and physical stress.
What stability tests are aqueous form drugs submitted to?
pH, light, oxidation.
What is the most common way to achieve accelerated stability testing?
Increasing the temperature thus increasing the likelihood of collisions.
Decomposition is increased between 2 and 5 fold for every 10°C.
What is the Arrhenius equation?
It is used to show the effect of temperature on the reaction in stability testing.
k= A x e^(-Ea/RT)
logk=logA - Ea/(2.303RT)
How do you work out the shelf life from an accelerated stability testing?
Determine the rate constants of the decomposition reaction at temperatures between 30 and 60°C. Extrapolate the Ea of the system and the rate constant of the decomposition reaction at room temperature (20°C).
What equation can be used to determine the shelf life of a drug that follows a first order reaction?
t(90)= 2.303log(0.9)/k
where k is at T=20°C
What is interphase?
The boundary between two phases (i.e. solid and liquid)
What happens to surface tension at the interface?
Intermolecular forces between gas and liquid are weaker than in the liquid itself.
What is adsorption?
Describes the accumulation of molecules at the interface.
What is absorption?
Implies the penetration of one compound throughout the body of another.
What is physical adsorption?
The adsorbate is bound to the surface through weak Van der Waals forces
What is chemical adsorption?
Involves stronger valence forces. It is more specific and usually involves an ion-exchange process.
Give an example of adsorption?
The adsorption of toxins in the stomach by attapulgite and kaolin
What is the interface?
The boundaries of a continuous phase.
What is the Gibbs adsorption equation?
Relates the surface excess concentration to the change of surface tension with the initial concentration.
Define surface tension.
The property of the surface of a liquid that allows it to resist an external force.
How does surface tension work?
The surface area of the interface increases to allow forces on either side to be equal, reaching equilibrium.
How does temperature influence surface tension?
Liquids see decrease of surface tension with increasing temperature because cohesion between molecules decreases.
What does surface tension depend on?
The chemical nature of the film- change in area and length.
When does spreading occur?
In liquid-liquid systems where both are immiscible, such as in emulsions.
Why does spreading occur?
Low surface tension between the two liquids.
What is the spreading coefficient?
Determines whether spreading will occur. It is the difference between the works of cohesion and adhesion.
S= Cohesion- Adhesion
What is cohesion?
The work necessary to pull apart a column of liquid.
What is adhesion?
The work needed to separate immiscible liquid to form two liquid/gas interfaces.
What is the contact angle?
The angle between the surface tension between the solid and liquid and the liquid and gas.
What does the contact angle show?
If the contact angle is less than 90° then spreading has occurred.
What is adhesion tension used for?
To measure how well a liquid penetrates capillaries/pores of a tablet.
What is wetting?
The ability of a liquid to maintain contact with a solid surface.
What is immersion wetting?
A solid immersed in a liquid.
What are wetting agents?
Used for hydrophobic drugs to lower the surface tension between the solid drug and vehicle.
What are polymers used for in tablets?
Used as binding agents to increase tables compaction- contribute to wetting.
What occurs when polymers with high molecular weight are used?
A high interfacial tension will result in tick and hard polymer layers resulting in poor moisture penetrability.
How does tablet coating effect the appearance and surface tension?
Often gives high surface tension resulting in hindered wetting process.
A low surface tension results in ‘orange peel surface’.
How does surface tension effect rate and extent of drug absorption?
Surface tension measurements of solids help to improve distribution, dissolution and release patterns.
Surfactants are important in favouring spreading and influencing dissolution rate of poorly soluble molecules.
What is the key feature of micro emulsions?
They have little or no surface tension.
How can surface tension be reduced?
Use of surfactants as they have hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions.
What happens when surfactants are added?
Accumulation of surfactants occurs at the interface and surface tension reduces.
What is the cmc?
Critical micelle concentration- concentration at which micelle begin to form and surface tension is no longer altered.
What is a micelle?
A group of surfactant molecules dispersed in the liquid phase.
What is the Langmuir model?
Adsorption of molecules at a relatively low concentration of solute and the adsorbate forms a monolayer.