Understanding Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Course overview

Drugs are used to prevent, cure, or control various diseases. To achieve this goal, adequate concentrations of the drug must be delivered to the target tissues so that therapeutic levels are obtained. Pharmacological and toxicological actions of drugs are mainly related to their plasma concentrations. Consequently, healthcare professionals who administer drugs must recognize the onset of a drugs action as well as the intensity and duration of its effect. In turn, these are controlled by four fundamental pathways of drug movement and modification in the body, namely absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. This learning content provides an overview of pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics through the identification of common definitions and terminology and provides a brief overview of the effects of a drug in single versus two compartment model administration.