Biopharm: Basic Concepts & Definitions

  1. What is biopharmaceutics?
    the study of the physical and chemical properties of a drug and its dosage form, including as related to the:

    • onset of drug action
    • duration of drug action
    • intensity of drug action
  2. What three main characteristics of drugs does biopharmaceutics deal with?
    Biopharmaceutics deals with three main characteristics of drugs:

    • 1) physicochemical properties of drugs (e.g., weak acid, weak base, lipophilic, etc.)
    • 2) drug formulation (e.g., extended release capsule, oral solution, suspension for IM injection, etc.)
    • 3) route by which the drug is administered (e.g., oral, intravenous, rectal, etc.)

    Biopharmaceutics is the study of the relationship of these three characteristics with regard to drug delivery and absorption.
  3. Why is biopharmaceutics important?
    Biopharmaceutics will determine whether the drug is:

    • effective
    • ineffective
    • toxic
  4. What is pharmacokinetics?
    • Pharmacokinetics is concerned with four main parameters that control the fate of a drug following administration:
    • 1) Absorption
    • 2) Distribution
    • 3) Metabolism
    • 4) Excretion

    These properties are also known as ADME for short.
  5. What is the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics?
    Pharmacokinetics is how the body affects the drug

    vs.

    Pharacodynamics is how the drug affects the body (drug-receptor binding, occupancy-coupling pathways, etc.)
Author
re.pitt
ID
98223
Card Set
Biopharm: Basic Concepts & Definitions
Description
What is biopharmaceutics & pharmacokinetics?
Updated