Chapter 2: Problem 2
If a drug exhibits first-order elimination, then (A) the elimination half-life is proportional to the plasma drug concentration. (B) the drug is eliminated at a constant rate. (C) hepatic drug metabolizing enzymes are saturated. (D) drug clearance will increase if the plasma drug concentration increases. (E) the rate of drug elimination \((\mathrm{mg} / \mathrm{min})\) is proportional to the plasma drug concentration.
Short Answer
Step by step solution
Understanding First-order Elimination
Analyzing Option (A)
Analyzing Option (B)
Analyzing Option (C)
Analyzing Option (D)
Analyzing Option (E)
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Key Concepts
These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.
Drug Half-life
Some important points to remember about drug half-life in first-order elimination include:
- The half-life remains the same regardless of the dose, due to the constant proportionate elimination.
- It is an important concept for determining dosing schedules, ensuring that drug levels remain therapeutic without reaching toxic levels.
Plasma Drug Concentration
Key points to understand about plasma drug concentration include:
- The concentration in the blood reflects how much drug is available to reach target tissues.
- It helps in monitoring therapeutic drug levels to avoid sub-therapeutic or toxic effects.
Enzyme Saturation
For first-order elimination:
- Enzyme saturation does not occur; enzyme activity is directly proportional to substrate concentration.
- This results in the rate of drug metabolism increasing with an increase in plasma drug concentration, up to a point.
Drug Clearance
Key features of drug clearance under first-order kinetics include:
- Clearance provides insight into how effectively a drug can be removed by the liver and kidneys.
- Consistent clearance rates mean that dosing regimens can be more predictable.