Week 1 discussion

Question 1

k (k0, k)

Answer 1

rate constant

Question 2

F

Answer 2

bioavailability; extent of absorption

Question 3

fu

Answer 3

fraction of unbound drug

Question 4

“Discuss circumstances that might

require a PK dosage adjustment?

Answer 4

renal impairment, warfarin/heparin, vancomycin, genetic variation (family), body weight, heart failure (reduced ejection fraction), age, drug drug interaction

Question 5

drugs are absorbed/transported via the

following mechanisms

Answer 5

– passive diffusion
– facilitated diffusion (carrier-mediated, no
energy input)
– active transport (carrier-mediated, with energy
input)

Question 6

ka

Answer 6

rate constant of absorption

Question 7

drug distribution

Answer 7

once absorbed, drugs undergo transport
processes that deliver it to other areas (liver,
kidney, skeletal muscle)

Question 8

Vd

Answer 8

volume of distribution

Question 9

drug elimination

Answer 9

two major processes
– metabolism – the liver
– excretion – the kidney (major), the bile, etc

Question 10

CL

Answer 10

drug clearance

Question 11

Drug Metabolism

Answer 11

• chemical transformation of drugs into compounds that are easier (more hydrophilic/polar/water soluble) to eliminate from the body
• sometimes termed biotransformation

Question 12

drug excretion

Answer 12

• includes renal, biliary, and fecal excretion
– renal excretion is the transfer of drug from the
blood to the urine
– renal excretion is the major route for
elimination of unchanged drug

Question 13

“After a patient takes a drug, what procedures
and analysis might be necessary to quantify
each of the four components of ADME?

Answer 13

blood test and urine test