PHARMACOKINETICS ABSORPTION →DISTRIBUTION→METABOLISM→EXCRETION Chapter 26 – Fundamentals NUR 152 Denise Turner, MS-N.Ed, CCRN, RN

OBJECTIVES  Overview of the principles of pharmacotherapy  Pharmacodynamics/pharmacokinetics  Discuss half life and therapeutic levels  Types of medication effects

ABSORPTION PG 609/614 FIGURE 26-3 Pharmaceutical Factors – Rate of dissolution – Lipid/water solubility - pH – Route Clinician/Patient Factors – Blood flow – Route – Competition

PHARMACOKINETIC EFFECTS ON ABSORPTION  Elevation of gastric pH (makes it more alkaline) by antacids – Increases the absorbance of basic drugs; decreases that of acidic drugs  Laxatives – Increase peristalsis and decrease GI transit time

DISTRIBUTION (TRANSPORTATION) PG 614  Blood Flow – Target organ/area  Protein binding  Free drugs-body can use the “free or unbound” drug

METABOLISM-BIOTRANSFORMATION PG 615  Remaining unbound drug is chemically inactivated, broken into metabolites and excreted once it reaches its target organ and is finished doing its job  First Pass Effect:  Effectively, the drug has been metabolized before it ever reaches the systemic circulation and/or its target organ

EXCRETION PG 615  In order for a drug to “stop” performing its actions it must be excreted. Metabolism is the start of this process (which is dependent on “functioning” organs of metabolism).  Liver, lungs, kidneys, GI tract

EXCRETION DELAYS  Decreased function in any of the areas of excretion can cause delays:  Renal disease  Dehydration/decreased fluid intake  Increased creatinine  Liver/GI tract disorders/probs  Increased peristalsis = ↑  Decreased peristalsis  Decreased activity, diet = ↑  Lungs disorders/probs

CLICKERCHECK The client has been on a low-protein diet. This will most likely affect which pharmacokinetic process? a. Absorption b. Excretion c. Distribution d. Metabolism

CLICKERCHECK (CONT’D) Correct answer: C A low-protein diet may lead to an inadequate level of plasma proteins, which will affect availability of “free” drug.

CLICKERCHECK The nurse is having difficulty deciphering the medication prescription written by the provider. What is the best strategy to clarify the information? a. Ask the patient what medication the provider prescribed. b. Call the pharmacist and ask him or her to read the prescription. c. Ask the nurse who knows the provider’s handwriting to read the prescription. d. Call the provider and ask him or her to clarify the prescription.

CLICKERCHECK (CONT’D) Correct answer: D All other answers increase the risk of a medication error.

CLICKERCHECK When administering a drug via a parenteral route, the drug would be absorbed fastest if given per the IM route. a. True b. False

CLICKERCHECK (CONT’D) Correct answer: B Absorption refers to the “movement” of the drug from the site of administration into the bloodstream. Therefore, the IV, parenteral route leads to “instant” absorption.

PHARMACODYNAMICS Pg 618

 Onset, peak, and duration of action

 Agonists and antagonists Two Drug Agonists Attach to the Receptor Site. The drug agonist that has an exact fit is a strong agonist and is more biologically active than the weak agonist.

PG 619  Therapeutic Effects  The desired effect we are expecting  Side Effects  Unintended but we are aware they can happen  If the S/E is pronounced we will stop or decrease the dose  Adverse Reactions:  Harmful, not expected and unpredictable  Usually end up stopping the medication  Depending on reaction, may require contacting the FDA and filing a report

 Toxic reactions:  Blood levels are too high or not therapeutic  Must monitor therapeutic levels on some medications  Nurses need to know what s/s of toxicity are for particular medications  Allergic reactions:  Rash, anaphylaxis  Idiosyncratic:  Abnormal or odd response  Sensitivity or an opposite effect of the therapeutic response expected.  Cumulative effects:  Client may not be able to metabolize or excrete a medication effectively with end result of too much medication in their system or toxicity.