Drug Clearance The most important pharmacokinetic parameter. Determines maintenance dose.

Drug Elimination Drug clearance and dose

requirements vary markedly throughout life.

Volume of Distribution The volume into which a drug appears to be distributed. Determines loading dose.

Dosing and Age Drug clearance and dose

requirements vary markedly throughout life.

The Half-life The time for the concentration of

the drug to halve.

Dosing Variations The route of drug administration influences pharmacokinetics.

Oral Availability The fraction of drug that reaches the

systemic circulation after oral ingestion.

Pharmacodynamics The action of the drug on the body.

Saturable Drug Metabolism When drug concentrations exceed the capacity of metabolism.

Protein Binding Only important in interpreting

measured drug concentrations.

PH and Pharmacokinetics Acids are ionized in basic media.

Bases are ionized in acidic media.

Effect of drugs on the pregnancy.

Effect of pregnancy on the drugs. Drugs in Pregnancy

Drug Interactions How one drug affects the concentrations or actions of another.

Drug Transport Active transporters can help prevent some drug toxicities and aid uptake of some drugs.

Pharmacogenetics How genes determine drug concentrations.