Comments
Hepatic clearance can be calculated from three parameters according the well stirred model and the parallel tube model. These parameters are intrinsic, unbound clearance (CLint), fraction unbound (fu) and hepatic blood flow (QH). The equations for these two models are different but they contain the same three parameters.
Equation 17.2.1 Hepatic Clearance according to the Well Stirred Model
Equation 17.2.2 Hepatic Clearance according to the Parallel Tube Model
Parameter | Value | Comment |
Dose | 100 mg ± | Linear system in this example |
Volume of Distribution V |
Range 7 - 200+ L | |
Excretion Rate Constant ke |
Range 0 - 5+ hr-1 | Non hepatic excretion/elimination |
Unbound Intrinsic Clearance CLint, ub |
0 - 1500+ L/hr | Shargel and Yu, 3rd, 1993 |
Hepatic Blood Flow QH |
90 L/hr Range 60-120 L/hr |
70 Kg adult, Shargel and Yu, 3rd, 1993 |
Fraction unbound, in blood fu, b |
Range 0 - 1 |
Equations used in this simple pharmacokinetic model.
Equation 17.2.3 Elimination Rate Constant as a function of CLH, V and ke
Equation 17.2.4 Concencentration versus Time after a single IV Bolus Dose
Equation 17.2.5 Extraction Ratio calculated from CLH and QH
Explore flow limited drug behavior by setting CLint somewhat larger (> 200 L/hr) than the hepatic blood flow rate. Change QH, fu and CLint to see which parameters have the greatest influence of half-life and AUC. Capacity limited drug behavior can be explored by setting CLint to a lower value (< 40 L/hr). Explore the effect of V on drug half-life.
Explore the equation by changing the parameter(s). Add additional lines with different parameter values using the Add Line button.