Physical and Chemical Properties of Drugs

These flashcards cover key vocabulary related to the physical and chemical properties of drugs, dosage form design, and drug development processes.

Dosage Form Design

The process of designing a form of medication that meets the therapeutic needs of patients.

Preformulation Studies

Studies that provide guidance in choosing dosage forms, excipients, and compositions based on the drug's properties.

New Chemical Entity (NCE)

A drug that has never been marketed in the US.

Phase I Clinical Trials

Initial testing phase for drug safety in a small group of healthy volunteers.

Biologic Products

Products derived from living organisms used for medical treatment or diagnosis.

Absorption

The process by which a drug reaches systemic circulation from its site of administration.

Polymorphism

The occurrence of different crystalline forms of a compound, affecting its solubility and stability.

Partition Coefficient (Log P)

A measure of a drug's preference for lipid versus aqueous environments, influencing its biological activity.

Degradation

The chemical breakdown of a drug, which can be sensitive to factors like moisture or oxygen.

Dissolution Rate

The speed at which a drug dissolves in a medium, impacting its bioavailability.

Potency

The strength of a drug's effect compared to the amount required to produce that effect.

Chemical Stability

The extent to which a drug remains within specified limits throughout its shelf-life.

Patient Status

Factors such as age and condition of the patient that influence dosage form design.

Hygroscopicity

The ability of a substance to absorb moisture from the environment, which can affect drug stability.

Controlled Drug Action

The ability to manage the release and absorption rates of a drug to enhance its therapeutic effects.

Bioavailability

The proportion of a drug that enters circulation when introduced into the body and is available for activity.