Area under time and plasma concentration curve signifies : September 2005

Ans. D: Plasma clearance of a drug The area under the plasma concentration time curve (AUC) is very useful for calculating the relative efficiency of different drug. It can used to calculate the total body clearance (CL) and the apparent volume of distribution. The area under the plasma (serum, or blood) concentration versus time curve (AUC) has an number of impoant uses in toxicology, biopharmaceutics and pharmacokinetics. Toxicology-AUC can be used as a measure of drug exposure. It is derived from drug concentration and time so it gives a measure how much - how long a drug stays in a body. A long, low concentration exposure may be as impoant as shoer but higher concentration. Biopharmaceutics-The AUC measured after administration of a drug product is an impoant parameter in the comparison of drug products. Studies can be performed whereby different drug products may be given to a panel of subject on separate equations. Pharmacokinetics-Drug AUC values can be used to determine other pharmacokinetic parameters, such as clearance or bioavailability.