1.2 : Pharmacokinetic Models: Overview

Pharmacokinetic models utilize mathematical analysis to achieve a detailed quantitative understanding of a drug's life cycle within the body. They are instrumental in simulating a drug's pharmacokinetic parameters, predicting drug concentrations over time, optimizing dosage regimens, linking concentrations with pharmacologic activity, and estimating potential toxicity.

There are three primary types of models: empirical, compartment, and physiological. Empirical models, with minimal assumptions, predict pharmacokinetic parameters across different species. They offer a generalized approach to data interpretation.

On the other hand, compartment models visualize the body as distinct compartments, each with uniform drug distribution and reversible communication. These compartments represent different body sections, with a central compartment depicting plasma and highly perfused tissues and a peripheral compartment representing poorly perfused tissues.

Physiological models, the most complex of the three, incorporate anatomical and physiological data to portray drug disposition in various organs and tissues accurately. They utilize organ tissue size, blood flow, and drug tissue-blood ratios to predict drug concentrations in different tissue types. Each model offers unique insights into the behavior of drugs within the body, thereby aiding in developing effective therapeutic strategies.