Pharmacokinetics

Pharmacokinetics is the way that the body deals with a drug - how that drug moves throughout the body, and how the body metabolizes and excretes it.  The factors and processes involved in pharmacokinetics must be considered when choosing the most effective dose, route and schedule for a drug's use.

The four processes involved in pharmacokinetics are:

Absorption:  The movement of a drug from its site of administration into the blood.

Several factors influence a drug's absorption:

• Rate of Dissolution:  the faster a drug dissolves the faster it can be absorbed, and the faster the effects will begin.
• Surface Area:  Larger surface area = faster absorption.
• Blood Flow:  Greater blood flow at the site of drug administration = faster absorption.
• Lipid Solubility:  High lipid solubility = faster absorption
• pH Partitioning:  A drug that will ionize in the blood and not at the site of administration will absorb more quickly.

Distribution:  The movement of drugs throughout the body.

Metabolism:  (Biotransformation) The enzymatic alteration of drug structure.

Excretion:  The removal of drugs from the body.

As a drug moves through the body, it must cross membranes.  Some important factors to consider here then are:

Body's cells are surrounded by a bilayer of phospholipids (cell membrane).

There are three ways that a substance can cross cell membranes:

• Passing through channels and pores: only very small molecules can cross cell membranes this way.

• Transport Systems:   Selective carriers that may or may not use ATP.

• Direct Penetration of the Cell Membrane: 

Buspirone

1. Short half-life (2–4 hours).
2. Relieves anxiety.
3. Does not act as an anticonvulsant.
4. Is not a good muscle relaxant.
5. Minimum abuse potential.

Methadone

Pharmacology and analgesic potency similar to morphine.

• Very effective following oral administration.
• Longer duration of action than morphine due to plasma protein binding (t1/2 approximately 25 hrs).
• Used in methadone maintenance programs for drug addicts and for opiate withdrawal. Opiate withdrawal is more prolonged but is less intense than it is following morphine or heroin.

Clotrimazole: Clotrimazole is a potent, specific inhibitor of p450 enzymes.

It is used in some antifungal medications, and in the treatment of yeast infections.

Topical Anesthetics

Benzocaine

Benzocaine is a derivative of procaine, an ester type local anesthetic, and is poorly soluble in water and is

available only as a topical anesthetic.

-  Localized allergic reactions are sometimes encountered    

-  Overdosing is unlikely as benzocaine is poorly absorbed into the blood, which decreases the likelihood of systemic toxicity.

- The onset of surface anesthesia is rapid requiring less than one minute.

Tetracaine

- Tetracaine is an ester type local anesthetic

-  Topically applied tetracaine as opposed to benzocaine has a prolonged duration of action.

Cocaine

- Cocaine is a ester type anesthetic that is used exclusively as a topical agent.

- Cocaine is unique among topical and injectable anesthetics in that it has vasoconstrictive as well as anesthetic properties. It is used sparingly because of its abuse potential but is still used when hemostasis of mucous membranes is essential.

- Cocaine is generally available in concentrations of 2-10 % solution.

Lidocaine

- Lidocaine is an amide local anesthetic that is available in injectable and topical formulations.

- It is available in gel, viscous solution, ointment and aerosol preparations in concentrations ranging from 2-10 %.

- The onset of anesthesia is slower relative to benzocaine but, the duration is about the same.

- Absorption into the bloodstream is greater than benzocaine providing a greater risk of systemic toxicity.

TRIMETHOPRIM

It is a diaminopyrimidine. It inhibits bacterial dihydrofolate reductase( DHFRase).

In combination with sulphamethoxzole it is called Co-trimoxazole.

Spectrum of action

 S. Typhi. Serratia. Klebsiela and many sulphonamide resistant strains of Staph.aureus. Strep pyogens

Adverse effects

Megaloblastic anemia. i.e.. due to folate defeciency.

Contraindicated in pregnancy.

Diuretics if given with co-trimoxazole cause thrombocytopenia.

Uses

I. UTI. 2. RTI. 3. Typhoid. 5. Septicemias. 5. Whooping cough