Chapter 6 Intravenous Infusion

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Intravenous Infusion

One Compartment Linear Model

Student Objectives for this Chapter

After completing the material in this chapter each student should:-

be able to draw the schemes and write the differential equations for a one compartment pharmacokinetic model after IV infusion administration
be able use the integrated equations for drug concentrations during and after an IV infusion administration to calculate parameter values and suitable dosing regimens including IV infusion alone, fast/slow IV infusion or infusion/bolus dosage regimens
be able to calculate kel and V from data collected after a single IV infusion
be able to define, use, and calculate the parameters:
- k0 (infusion rate constant)
- D (infusion duration)

Hospital patients will commonly receive drugs by intravenous infusion. The inconvenience of administering the drug over a long time is not a real problem with bedridden patients. Some may already be receiving intravenous fluids. If a drug is chemically stable and is compatible with the intravenous fluid it may be added to the fluid and thereby be given by slow infusion.

Some drugs cannot be given by rapid intravenous injection. Therefore they may be given by slower IV infusion over 15 or 30 minutes. For example, IV phenytoin must be given slowly, no greater than 50 mg/min (and preferably 25 mg/min or less) in adults. Much slower in neonates. Phenytoin's poor solubility required alkaline pH control and/or a co-solvent which can produce adverse effects when given too quickly.

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