Pharmacokinetic Calculations
Start with the big picture
Pharmacokinetics describes absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination (ADME), and uses these processes to predict concentration changes over time. Key parameters include volume of distribution, which relates the amount of drug in the body to its plasma concentration, and clearance, which describes elimination relative to concentration. The elimination rate constant and half-life help characterize concentration decline and the time course toward steady state. AUC represents systemic exposure, while bioavailability supports comparisons between oral and intravenous dosing. The lesson also introduces first- and zero-order kinetics and applies PK relationships to loading and maintenance doses, infusion rates, accumulation, and therapeutic drug monitoring. Renal and hepatic considerations connect these calculations to dose individualization.
What you'll learn
- Describe how ADME processes support prediction of plasma drug concentrations.
- Relate volume of distribution, clearance, elimination rate constant, and half-life.
- Distinguish first-order from zero-order elimination kinetics.
- Explain how PK parameters inform loading doses, maintenance doses, and infusion rates.
- Identify how AUC, bioavailability, accumulation, and monitoring support dose individualization.
Continue your study
Work through the complete notes and reinforce the topic with the study tools available in the full lesson.
