last updated 21-11-2024

Single intravenous dosing

Single intravenous dosing

When a drug is administered by an intravenous injection, all the drug enters the systemic circulation. It is possible to determine how much drug is necessary to reach a desired serum concentration.

 

 

For example: for the administration of digoxin to a 70 kg patient. What intravenous loading dose should be given to reach an initial target plasma concentration of 1,5 ng/ml?

Population parameters of digoxin are: Vd = 7,3 L/kg; (Note Therapeutic plasma level = 0,8-2 ng/ml).

Hint: besides using formulas, the PK-simulator (see below) with sliders can also be used.

 

Solution:

Dose / Vd = Cmax     or     Dose = Cmax · Vd

Vd = 7,3 L/Kg x 70 Kg = 511 L

Dose = 1,5 ng/ml x 511 L = 0,766 mg

See how dosing variations give different concentration-time curves here (module 1 for intravenous dosing).

1

What is the inital plasma concentration (C0) when 10 mg of a drug (Volume of Distribution = 3 L/kg) is administered to a 70 kg patient?

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