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Introductory Pharmacokinetics Workshop v3.0
Source PCCAL, University of Nottingham
ISBN: 1 84211 014 4
Versions Available Internet
Programmer Jas Sagoo
Subject Specialist Nick Shaw
Summary
[Screenshot]
Screen shot from the package

The Introductory Pharmacokinetics Workshop package provides an introduction to methods and principles involved in the calculation of pharmacokinetic parameters such as clearance, half-life, elimination rate constant, volume of distribution and area under the curve. The package involves showing the user how to plot on semi-logarithmic paper, how to calculate area under a concentration-time curve using the Trapezoidal Rule, and how to calculate absorption rate constants using the Method of Residuals. These concepts are shown with worked examples. The user's understanding of these concepts is then tested by interrogating the user with questions that require the use of each method. The performance of the user is monitored and an overall percentage score is available at the end of each question.

Contents
Methods
  • Logarithmic Plot
  • Method of Residuals
  • Trapezoidal Rule

I.V. Dosing
  • General Information
  • Test Question

I.V. Infusion

  • General Information
  • Test Question
Oral Dosing
  • General Information
  • Test Question
Summary of Sections
Methods
This subject provides a very general background to three important procedures used to manipulate plotted data in order to obtain information required to calculate pharmacokinetic parameters. For example, how to use the trapezoidal rule to calculate the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC), having calculated the AUC, this information can be used to calculate clearance in intravenous bolus dosing where the dose of the drug is known.
Intravenous Bolus Dosing
This topic provides background information regarding several pharmacokinetic parameters which may be calculated when the user is presented with intravenous bolus dose data. These parameters include half-life and elimination rate constant (2 methods), clearance and volume of distribution. A review of the trapezoidal rule for calculating AUC is also presented. The user is then required to use this knowledge to calculate the same parameters from an intravenous dose data set.
Intravenous Infusion
This section is concerned with plasma concentration time data which have been obtained after an intravenous infusion of a drug. These data are used to estimate the elimination rate constant and half-life, clearance and volume of distribution after the infusion has been stopped. A question is then given which tests the application of the knowledge which has just been acquired.
Oral Dosing
After the oral administration of a drug, the data are collected and used to estimate parameters such as half-life, clearance, volume of distribution, bioavailability, relative bioavailability and the absorption rate constant and half-life. A review of the method of residuals is also presented. As previously the acquired knowledge of the user is then tested by questioning the application of the above methods