 Chose TWO Unit Student Learning Outcomes (USLOs)

 USLO 1.6: Explain the four major factors of pharmacokinetics: absorption,

distribution, metabolism, and excretion
 Pharmacokinetics is a branch of pharmacology that is concerned with the study of how
drugs interact with the human body. There are four fundamental processes that govern
drug action in the body, namely absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. "The
introduction of rigorous PK methods and an improved understanding of the importance of
dose optimization has revolutionized the antibacterial development process by
minimizing costs, maximizing efficacy and resistance prevention, minimizing toxicity,
and helping to avoid failures in clinical studies." (Palmer et al., 2022). Again,
pharmacokinetics is important in medicine to understand how drugs are processed in the
body. The knowledge of PK helps optimize dosages, ensure effectiveness, and minimize
risk. It's crucial for informed decisions, safe prescriptions, and better patient outcomes.
Listed below are the four processes of Pharmacokinetics:
 Absorption is the process by which drugs enter the body, and it can occur through
different routes such as oral ingestion, injection, or inhalation. The rate and extent of
absorption depend on various factors such as the drug's physicochemical properties, the
site of administration, and the presence of food or other drugs in the body.
 Distribution refers to how drugs are transported throughout the body. The process is
influenced by factors such as blood flow, tissue permeability, and protein binding. The
extent of distribution depends on the drug's properties, such as its molecular weight,
lipophilicity, and ability to cross biological barriers.
 Metabolism involves the biotransformation of drugs into metabolites, which are usually
less active than the parent drug. The liver is the primary site of drug metabolism, and it
employs a range of enzymes to catalyze the chemical reactions. The metabolites
produced can either be inactive or active, and they may contribute to the drug's
therapeutic or toxic effects.
 Excretion is the final process of drug elimination from the body. The primary routes of
excretion are urine, feces, sweat, and breastmilk. The rate and extent of excretion depend
on the drug's properties, such as its molecular weight, solubility, and ionization.
Understanding these interconnected processes is crucial in designing optimal drug dosing
regimens, reducing adverse effects, and improving patient outcomes.
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 USLO 1.7: Differentiate side effects and adverse (toxic) reactions
 When it comes to the use of medications or treatments, it's important to understand the
distinction between side effects and adverse (toxic) reactions. While both can occur as a
result of drug use, they differ in terms of severity and expectedness. Side effects are
generally mild and expected outcomes that can occur as a result of a drug's primary
therapeutic action. These can include symptoms such as nausea, dizziness, or drowsiness
and are typically manageable without requiring discontinuation of the treatment. On the
other hand, adverse or toxic reactions are more severe and unexpected responses to a
 drug that can be harmful or even life-threatening. These reactions are typically dose-
dependent, meaning they occur when the drug concentration in the body exceeds a certain
threshold. Adverse reactions can affect various organ systems and may necessitate
immediate discontinuation of the medication, medical intervention, or a change in the
treatment regimen. It's crucial for healthcare providers to be able to distinguish between
side effects and adverse reactions in order to make informed decisions regarding a
patient's medication management and safety. By doing so, they can ensure that the
benefits of treatment outweigh any potential risks.
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 Palmer, M.E. et al. (2022) The importance of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics
in antimicrobial drug development and their influence on the success of agents developed
to combat resistant gram negative pathogens: A Review, Frontiers in pharmacology.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9359604/ (Accessed: 05 October 2023).
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