Prepared by Forensics 2014

0.05

Prepared by Forensics 2014

1. Because there are data of 2 significant figures, all answers below cannot be corrected
to more than 2 significant figures. However, please use exact figures when doing
calculations.
(a) For the most efficient dosage schedule, the plasma concentration should reach
10 g/ml and then decrease to 6.0 g/ml after time t, where t is the dosage
interval.
t

1 t1
Ct C 0 ( ) 2
2

Ct = plasma concentration at time t,

C0 = original plasma concentration

1 t1
Cmin Cmax ( ) 2
Set Ct = Cmin, C0 = Cmax
2
(After time t, Cmax decreases to Cmin)
t
1
6.0 10( ) 9
2
t
6. 0
1
( )9
10
2
6 .0
t
1
log(
) log( )
10
9
2
t 6.6hr
T 6hr
t is the ideal dosage interval
T is the convenient dosage interval,
i.e. you tell the patient to take the drug every 6 hours instead of 6.6 hours
However, lowering the dosage interval from the optimal one (6.6 hours)
increases the actual minimal plasma concentration (no longer 6.0 g/ml), where
it can be calculated.
t

1 t1
Ct C0 ( ) 2
2
t

1 t1
C m in C m ax ( ) 2
2
T
1 9
10( )
2
6
1 9
10( )
2
6.3g / ml
Hence the real minimal plasma concentration obtained from a dosage interval of
6 hours is 6.3 g/ml.

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To raise the plasma concentration of drug X through a maintenance dose (DM)
to the maximal concentration of 10 g/ml OR
A maintenance dose should replenish the excreted amount of drug X in a single
dosage interval, hence

Amount of drug equals plasma concentration

DM (C max C min ) Vd
(10 6.3) g / ml 0.54 L / kg 50kg times volume of distibution

3.7 g / ml 27 L

3.7

mg / ml 27 ml 1000
1000
3.7 mg / ml 27 ml

99.91...
100mg

The units are not the same

but it is a coincidence that simple

multiplication will give the answer in mg

*There is another equation in the lecture notes which requires the use of C avss, F
(bioavailability), CL (clearance) and else which gives an answer of DM = 101
even using exact values. It is therefore highly suspected that it just happens to
be 100 mg when rounded off but not essentially the true DM.
To maintain the plasma concentration between 6.3 g/ml and 10 g/ml, a
maintenance dose of 100mg of drug X is given at a dosage interval of 6 hours.
(b) Just after the two loading doses (and before the first maintenance dose), the
plasma concentration should reach 6.3 g/ml (Cmin).
t

C min Vd DL (0.5)

t1

2t
2

DL (0.5)

t1

6.3 0.54 50 DL (0.5) 9 DL (0.5) 9

DL

6.3 0.54 50
3

(0.5) 9 (0.5) 9
120mg
Therefore two loading doses of 120mg of drug X are given at 3 hours and 6
hours before the first maintenance dose.

Prepared by Forensics 2014

2.
(a) There are two phases. At the beginning of drug administration there is a
distribution phase, followed by a elimination phase where the drug is cleared from
the plasma exponentially (that is why the log plasma concentration forms a
straight line during the elimination phase)
(b) Please estimate from the graph by finding the time difference between two points
where the plasma concentration is halved (e.g. 0.1 and 0.05). Pay attention to the
scale (0.05 is the fourth marking from 0.01).
The value is around 5 hours.
(c) No. t1/2 just reflects the elimination of drug from plasma where distribution is
finished. Whether the drug is orally absorbed does not matter.