Clinical pharmacokinetic studies

Abstract

Drug efficacy and response are a function of drug concentration over time. In clinical pharmacokinetic studies, aspects of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion over time are assessed. In the early clinical development, the pharmacokinetics of a drug is studied in healthy subjects followed by studies in patient population(s) with the aim to find the relevant dose in the target population(s). Particular pharmacokinetic studies in special populations assess the necessity of a dose adjustment from the planned/established clinical dose for patients.