Class notes
Psy 627 Pharmacokinetic Factors Determining Drug Action Notes
- Course
- Psychopharmacology
- Institution
- Pepperdine University
Pharmacokinetic Factors Determining Drug Action notes for Psy 627. *Essential!! *For you!!
[Show more]
Content preview
1.2 Pharmacokinetic Factors Determining Drug ActionRoute of administration
The drug (oral medication) is ingested via the mouth.
Absorption & distribution
The medication travels down the esophagus into the stomach, where acids break it down.
From there, the drug’s molecules are absorbed into the bloodstream that nourishes the intestinal
tract and stomach. An empty stomach will absorb the drug much faster than a full one will. Once
the drug enters the circulatory system, it passes through the liver on its way to the central
nervous system (CNS). As the drug goes through the liver, the liver metabolizes (inactivates) it,
effectively decreasing its potency (by roughly 25%) before it enters the CNS. This process is
known as the “First Pass Effect.” Selective barriers, including the blood brain barrier (BBB) and
placental barrier, limit the distribution of the drug into the CNS.
The BBB protects brain tissue and neurons from dangerous molecules that could disrupt
and dysregulate brain functioning. It selectively allows molecules (drugs and nutrients) to enter
the brain while removing waste via a network of capillaries (small blood vessels). The molecules
then selectively pass through the capillaries’ intracellular clefts (small gaps) and fenestrations
(larger openings). Pinocytotic vesicles (larger capillaries) envelope and transport the molecules
across the BBB and into the brain tissue itself. If the brain detects any toxic substances in the
bloodstream, it will trigger the area postrema (AP) in order to expel the toxic substances before
they are taken into circulation by the blood vessels and protect the organism (the individual
taking the drug). The activation of the AP induces vomiting.
The benefits of buying summaries with Stuvia:
Guaranteed quality through customer reviews
Stuvia customers have reviewed more than 700,000 summaries. This how you know that you are buying the best documents.
Quick and easy check-out
You can quickly pay through credit card or Stuvia-credit for the summaries. There is no membership needed.
Focus on what matters
Your fellow students write the study notes themselves, which is why the documents are always reliable and up-to-date. This ensures you quickly get to the core!
Frequently asked questions
What do I get when I buy this document?
You get a PDF, available immediately after your purchase. The purchased document is accessible anytime, anywhere and indefinitely through your profile.
Satisfaction guarantee: how does it work?
Our satisfaction guarantee ensures that you always find a study document that suits you well. You fill out a form, and our customer service team takes care of the rest.
Who am I buying these notes from?
Stuvia is a marketplace, so you are not buying this document from us, but from seller anyiamgeorge19. Stuvia facilitates payment to the seller.
Will I be stuck with a subscription?
No, you only buy these notes for $9.99. You're not tied to anything after your purchase.
Can Stuvia be trusted?
4.6 stars on Google & Trustpilot (+1000 reviews)
66579 documents were sold in the last 30 days
Founded in 2010, the go-to place to buy study notes for 14 years now