Drug Analysis and General Pharmacokinetics

This course provides a thorough introduction to pharmacokinetic processes of drugs, including absorption, metabolism, distribution and excretion (ADME). Throughout the course mathematical pharmacokinetic models are presented, enabling students to calculate plasma concentration changes of drugs and relevant metabolites following drug administration. Moreover, pharmacokinetic models provide an understanding of how dosage form, drug administration and dosage regimen influence plasma concentration changes. Theoretical principles will later on be applied to case-based learning using simple cases with focus on individual factors influencing drug pharmacokinetic like concomitant diseases, age, drug interaction and genetic polymorphism. Basal clinical chemistry, relevant for the pharmacokinetic of drugs, is as well an integrated part of the course.
Additionally to the pharmacokinetic part, this course provides an introduction to drug analysis from blood and urine samples.
The course emphasizes the application of theoretical knowledge gained during the course to real case situations.

After completing FARM3000, the student can:
• Provide a thorough description of physiological processes of importance for pharmacokinetics
• Evaluate how physiological changes influence the absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion of drugs
• Evaluate relevant clinical pharmacokinetic drug interactions
• Evaluate bioequivalence of drugs based on pharmacokinetic parameters
• Evaluate methods for sample preparation and –extraction in biological matrices, taking the physical-chemical properties of drugs into consideration
• Explain principles for separation techniques such as liquid chromatography, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, ICP-MS and capillary electrophoresis.
• Provide a thorough description of quality control / validation of procedures and processes within drug analysis

• Use selected mathematical models to calculate drug plasma concentration in various treatment regimens (infusion, single dose, repeated dosing).
• Suggest a individual dosing regimens based on characteristics of the patients
• Suggest a suitable analysis method for a drug under given conditions (physical-chemical properties of the drug, the purpose of the analysis etc.).
• Interpret results from blood- and urine drug analysis and give dosing advice
• Communicate pharmacokinetics to both health personnel and patients in a professional manner.

Lectures and exercises.