 Dose of the drug administered

 Absorption

 Drug concentration in systemic circulation

 Elimination

 Drug metabolized or
 excreted
 Drug concentration at the site of action

 Pharmacologic effect
 Clinical response
 Toxicity and Effectiveness
Clearance
Volume of Distribution
 Rate of elimination (mg/hr )
-------------------------------------
 CL = Drug concentration ( mg/L )

 Amount of drug in body
V = ---------------------------------------------
C
The amount of time required for the
plasma concentration of a drug to
decrease by 50%.
The therapeutic levels of a drug can be
obtained more rapidly by delivering a
loading dose followed by maintenance
doses.
An initial dose of drug that
is higher than subsequent
doses to achieve the
therapeutic drug
concentrations in the
serum rapidly.
 Doses of drug that maintain a
steady plasma concentration in
the therapeutic range
Onset
Amount of time it takes a
drug to begin working
Duration
The length of time for
which a drug is therapeutic
Fraction of unchanged drug
reaching the systemic
circulation following
administration by any route
Oral
 Most compatible with drugs that
are self administered
 Must withstand the acidic
environment of the stomach
 Must permeate the gut lining
before entering the blood stream
Sublingual
Good absorption
Easily administered drugs
Because the stomach is
bypassed, acid-lability and
gut-permeability need not be
considered.
 Useful for unconscious or
vomiting patients or small
children
 Absorption is unreliable
 Less first past effect
 Rapid onset of action because it is
injected directly into the blood
stream
 Useful in emergencies and in
unconscious patients
 Insoluble drugs cannot be
administered through IV
 Drug passes through capillary walls
to enter the blood stream
 Rate of absorption depends on the
formulation
 Drug is injected beneath the
skin and permeates capillary
walls to enter the blood stream
 Rapid absorption
 Metered doses
 Suitable for self administration
 Useful for local delivery of
agents, particularly those which
have toxic effects if
administered systematically
 Dermatologic and
ophthalmologic preparations
Prolong duration of action
“ patch “ –skin and capillary
bed
Convenient for self
administration
 Blood from the gastrointestinal
tract passes through the liver
before entering any other organs
 Reduction in bioavailability
 Site of administration
 Drug formulation
Immediate effect
Delayed effect
Cumulative effect
 Absorption
 Clearance
 Volume of Distribuion
THANK
YOU