General Pharmacology: Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

The subdiscipline of pharmacology investigating the concentration changes of drugs within an organism over time (encompassing absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion), succinctly described as what the body does to the drug.

Pharmacodynamics

The branch of pharmacology addressing the biochemical and physiological actions of drugs at their site of effect, elucidating how, where, and why therapeutic effects occur, succinctly described as what the drug does to the body.

LADME Model

A foundational pharmacokinetic framework detailing the sequence of drug transit through the organism: Liberation (release from formulation), Absorption (resorption into circulation), Distribution, Metabolism (biotransformation), and Elimination (excretion).

Blood Level Curve (Plasma Concentration-Time Curve)

A graphical representation of active drug concentration in blood plasma as a function of time ($t$), the shape of which depends directly on the route of administration.

Minimum Effective Concentration (MEC)

The lower plasma concentration threshold that a drug must maintain for a sustained period in order to elicit a measurable therapeutic response.

Minimum Toxic Concentration (MTC)

The upper concentration threshold in blood plasma above which the danger of toxic manifestations and adverse toxicity arises.

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