Pharmacology - Drug Distribution

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Questions and Answers

What is the driving force behind the distribution of a drug?

Osmotic pressure

Electrochemical gradient

Concentration gradient (correct)

Active transport

Which factor does NOT significantly influence the onset of a drug's pharmacological action?

Rate of metabolism (correct)

Distribution

Concentration at the site of action

Drug dosage

Why is the distribution of a drug not uniform throughout the body?

All tissues absorb the drug equally

Different tissues have varying blood flow rates (correct)

Different tissues have different absorption capacities

Organs with higher density absorb more drug

What does the term 'apparent volume of distribution' refer to?

The volume needed to contain the total amount of drug at the same concentration as in plasma Signup and view all the answers

What is the effect of doubling the drug dose on its concentration in the plasma?

It doubles the concentration Signup and view all the answers

By which process does a drug distribute until equilibrium is established?

Passive diffusion Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following drugs is given as an example of one with a large volume of distribution?

Digoxin Signup and view all the answers

Why are drugs with a large volume of distribution more difficult to remove by dialysis?

They are not distributed in the plasma Signup and view all the answers

What might be required for drugs with a large volume of distribution to achieve a quick onset of action?

Loading dose Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the process of redistribution for highly lipid-soluble drugs?

Initially distributed to organs with high blood flow and then to bulkier tissues Signup and view all the answers

Which property does NOT affect the tissue permeability of a drug?

Dosage frequency Signup and view all the answers

Which statement about lipid solubility and redistribution of drugs is TRUE?

Greater lipid solubility results in faster redistribution Signup and view all the answers

What does the Volume of Distribution (Vd) quantify in pharmacokinetics?

The distribution of a drug between plasma and the rest of the body Signup and view all the answers

Why is the Volume of Distribution referred to as 'Apparent Volume'?

Different parts of the body equilibrated with the drug do not have equal concentration Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a rate-limiting step in drug distribution?

Permeation of drug present in extracellular fluid into intracellular fluid Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary site of drug absorption mentioned in the diagram?

Systemic circulation Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following would not be directly involved in the initial steps of drug distribution?

Binding of the drug to its receptor Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, which of the following best describes the final step indicated in the diagram?

Excretion Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Drug Distribution

Drug distribution is a passive process driven by the concentration gradient between blood and extravascular tissues.
Distribution occurs through diffusion of the free drug until equilibrium is established.

Pharmacological Action

Pharmacological action depends on drug concentration at the site of action.
Distribution plays a significant role in the onset, intensity, and duration of action.

Drug Distribution is not Uniform

Distribution is not uniform throughout the body due to different tissue rates and extents of receiving the drug from plasma.

Dose Proportionality

A simple relationship exists between the amount of drug in the body (A) and drug concentration in plasma, described by A = VC.
The proportionality constant is called the "Apparent volume of distribution."
Doubling the dose usually results in a doubling of drug concentration in plasma, known as dose proportionality.

Volume of Distribution

The apparent volume of distribution (Vd) can be much more than the actual body volume.
Widely distributed drugs include Digoxin, Imipramine, Phenobarbitone, and morphine analogues (e.g., Codine).
These drugs are difficult to remove by dialysis if toxicity occurs.
Drugs with low Vd and low plasma protein bound are good candidates for dialysis.

Clinical Significance of Large Volume of Distribution

A loading dose may be required initially for a quick onset of action.
Example: Chloroquine used in Malaria, with a 600mg stat loading dose followed by 300mg after 8hrs and then 300mg daily for the next 2 days.

Redistribution

Highly lipid-soluble drugs initially distribute to organs with high blood flow (e.g., brain, heart, kidney).
Later, less vascular but more bulky tissues (muscles, fat) take up the drug, causing plasma concentration to fall.
Redistribution can terminate drug action if the site of action is in a highly perfused organ.
Greater lipid solubility leads to faster redistribution.

Factors Affecting Drug Distribution

Tissue permeability of the drug affects distribution, influenced by physiochemical properties like molecular size, pKa, and o/w Partition coefficient.

Steps in Drug Distribution

Permeation of free or unbound drug into interstitial extracellular fluid
Permeation of drug present in extracellular fluid into intracellular fluid (rate-limiting step)

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Description

Understand the passive process of drug distribution, its role in pharmacological action, and the factors influencing uniformity. Learn how concentration gradients, diffusion, and equilibrium affect drug distribution.