1. Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Phenobarbital
Dr. Muslim Suardi
Faculty of Pharmacy
University of Andalas
2013

2. INITIAL DOSAGE DETERMINATION METHODS
Pharmacokinetic Dosing Method

3. Pharmacokinetic Dosing Method
Estimation of Cl Vd
t1/2 & ke

4. Problem
GO is a 50-year-old, 75-kg (5 ft 10 in) male with tonic-clonic seizures who requires therapy with oral PHENO. He has normal liver and renal function. Suggest an initial PHENO dosage regimen designed to achieve a steady-state concentration equal to 20 µg/mL.

5. 1. Estimate Cl & Vd according to disease states present in the patient.
The Cl for an older patient is 4 mL/h/kg. Using this value, the estimated Cl would equal 0.3 L/h: Cl = 75 kg*4 mL/h/kg = 300 mL/h or 0.3 L/h.
The estimated Vd would be 53 L: 75 kg*0.7 L/kg = 53 L.

6. 2. Estimate t1/2 & ke
Once the correct Cl & Vd estimates are identified for the patient, they can be converted into the PHENO t1/2 & ke estimates using the following eq:
t1/2 = (0.693*V)/Cl
= (0.693*53L)/ 0.3 L/h
= 122 h,
k = Cl/V = 0.3 L/h / 53 L = h−1.

7. 3. Compute Dosage Regimen
Oral PHENO tab will be prescribed to this patient (F=1).
The dosage equation for oral PHENO is
D = (Css*Cl *) / F = (20 mg/L*0.3 L/h*24h) / 1 = 144 mg
Rounded to 120 every 24h

8. 3. Continued
A SS trough PHENO Csr should be measured after SS is attained in 3–5 t1/2.
Since the patient is expected to have a t1/2 equal to 122h, the PHENO Css could be obtained any time after 4 weeks of dosing (5t1/2= 5*122h = 610 h or 25 d).

9. 3. Continued
PHENO Csr should also be measured if the patient experiences an exacerbation of their epilepsy, or if the patient develops potential signs of PHENO toxicity.
3. Compute dosage regimen.

10. 3. Continued
Oral PHENO tablets will be prescribed to this patient (F=1).
The dosage eq for oral PHENO is D = (Css ⋅ Cl ⋅) / F = (20 mg/L*0.3 L/h*24 h) / 1 = 144 mg, rounded to 120 every 24 hours.
A SS trough PHENO Csr should be measured after SS is attained in 3–5t1/2.

11. 3. Continued
Since the patient is expected to have a half-life equal to 122h, the PHENO Css could be obtained any time after 4 weeks of dosing (5t1/2 = 5*122h = 610 h or 25 d).
PHENO Csr should also be measured if the patient experiences an exacerbation of their epilepsy, or if the patient develops potential signs of PHENO toxicity.