Pharmacology Fundamentals Flashcards
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Read the first 7 Pharmacology Fundamentals flashcards as text
A patient with hepatic cirrhosis is started on a drug with high hepatic extraction ratio. What is the expected change in bioavailability?
Answer: Increased bioavailability due to reduced first-pass metabolism
High hepatic extraction drugs undergo significant first-pass metabolism; liver disease reduces this extraction, increasing oral bioavailability.
Which plasma protein primarily binds acidic drugs such as warfarin and phenytoin?
Answer: Albumin
Albumin is the primary plasma protein binding acidic drugs; hypoalbuminemia increases free drug fraction and potential toxicity.
A drug has a volume of distribution of 500 L in a 70 kg patient. What does this suggest?
Answer: Extensive tissue distribution with low plasma concentration
A large volume of distribution (>42 L) indicates the drug distributes extensively into tissues rather than remaining in plasma.
A drug is a prodrug. Which statement best describes a prodrug?
Answer: An inactive compound converted to its active form after administration
Prodrugs are pharmacologically inactive until metabolized (typically hepatically) to their active metabolite.
Which statement correctly describes a drug with a long half-life (t½)?
Answer: It takes longer to reach steady state and longer to be eliminated
Steady state is reached after approximately 4-5 half-lives; a long t½ means both delayed steady state and prolonged elimination after stopping.
Potentiation differs from synergism in that potentiation occurs when:
Answer: One drug has no effect alone but enhances another drug's effect
Potentiation occurs when one inactive drug enhances the effect of another active drug, whereas synergism involves two drugs both having the same type of effect.
A patient has been taking a drug for 5 half-lives. Approximately what percentage of steady-state concentration has been achieved?
Answer: 97%
After 5 half-lives, approximately 97% of steady-state concentration is achieved, which is considered clinically equivalent to steady state.
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