Basic Pharmacokinetics - S. Jambhekar, P. Breen
PHARMACOKINETICS AND
BIOPHARMACEUTICS courses have been included in pharmacy curricula across the
USA and in many other countries for the past several years. At present, there
are a number of textbooks available for use by students and other readers. Most
of these textbooks, although valu-able and well written, concentrate on
presenting the material in substantial mathematical depth, with much less
emphasis needed on explanations that will facilitate understanding and the
ability to use the pharmacokinetic equations which are introduced. Furthermore,
also evident in currently available textbooks is a paucity of adequate
expla-nation regarding factors influencing pharmaco-kinetic parameters present
in these equations.
The intent of this textbook
is to provide the reader with a basic intuitive understanding of the principles
of pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics and how these principles, along with
the equations presented in each chapter, can be applied to achieve successful
drug therapy. It has been our intent to illustrate the application of
pharmacokinetic principles and equations by providing the reader with data
available in the literature. Additionally, when relevant, problem sets and
problem-solving exercises, complete with keys, have been provided at the
conclusion of each chapter. This approach will enable the reader to become
adept at solving pharmacokinetic problems arising in drug therapy and to
understand the applications and utility of equations in clinical practice.
Since pharmacokinetics is
basically mathematical in nature, a chapter has been included to provide the
reader with a basic review of the mathematical principles and graphing techniques
necessary to understand pharmacokinetics. At the outset of each chapter,
important objectives have been listed that will accentuate and identify the
salient and indelible points of the chapter. When an important and clinically
applicable equation appears in the text, a para-graph follows, explaining the
significance and therapeutic applications of the equation. Additionally, this
paragraph includes and explains the relevant factors that influence the
para-meters appearing in an equation. After the introduction of an important
equation, a general profile illustrating the relationship between the two
variables of an equation has been presented. This approach, we believe, will
demystify key concepts in pharmacokinetics.
Derivations of key equations
have been included to show their origins and to satisfy the inquisitive reader.
However, students are not expected to memorize any of these derivations or to
perform them in any problem set or problem solving exercise.
We remain cognizant that
this edition of the textbook includes some references that may be considered by
some viewers not to be the most current. We, however, believe that the chosen
references are classic ones best suited to illustrate a particular point.
Additionally, we fully recognize that this edition omits topics such as the
Wagner and Nelson method for the determination of the absorption rate constant,
urinary data analysis following the administration of a drug by an
extravascular route, two-compartment model pharmacokinetics for an extravascular
administered drug, and metabolite kinetics.
Ultimately, though important topics, we consciously decided that these topics may be less important for entry level pharmacy programs.
