Biopharmaceutics and Pharmacokinetics: Definitions Quiz

Biopharmaceutics Overview

• Biopharmaceutics studies the physical and chemical properties of a drug and its formulation, and how they affect the body's response to the drug.

Primary Concern in Biopharmaceutics

• The primary concern in biopharmaceutics is the bioavailability of a drug, which is the rate and extent of absorption of the active drug that becomes available at the site of action.

Pharmaceutic and Pharmacokinetic Parameters

• The term bioavailability is often characterized by two pharmacokinetic parameters: Cmax (maximum plasma concentration) and AUC (area under the plasma concentration-time curve).
• Cmax measures the maximum amount of drug absorbed into the bloodstream.
• AUC measures the total amount of drug absorbed over a certain period of time.

Plasma Level-Time Curve

• The plasma level-time curve is a graphical representation of the concentration of the drug in the bloodstream over time.
• It provides information about the rate of absorption, peak concentration, and duration of action of the drug.

Link between Physical/Chemical Properties and Clinical Performance

• Biopharmaceutics links the physical and chemical properties of the drug and the drug product to their clinical performance in vivo, which includes the onset, duration, and intensity of the drug's effect.