Clearance (pharmacology)
Clearance (pharmacology)
Clearance (pharmacology) is a pharmacokinetic parameter that quantifies the rate at which a drug or other substance is removed from the body. It is a measure of the body's efficiency in eliminating a substance from the systemic circulation. Clearance is typically measured in volume per unit time, such as milliliters per minute (ml/min) or liters per hour (L/hr).
Concept[edit | edit source]
The concept of clearance was developed by pharmacologists to quantify the removal of drugs from the body. It is based on the principle that the rate of elimination of a drug is directly proportional to the concentration of the drug in the blood. This relationship is expressed by the equation:
Rate of elimination = Clearance x Concentration
This equation is the basis for the calculation of dosage in clinical pharmacology.
Factors affecting clearance[edit | edit source]
Several factors can affect the clearance of a drug, including:
- Physiological factors: These include age, sex, weight, and organ function. For example, clearance tends to decrease with age and in individuals with impaired kidney or liver function.
- Genetic factors: Genetic variations can affect the activity of enzymes involved in drug metabolism, thereby affecting clearance.
- Disease states: Diseases can affect organ function and thus clearance. For example, renal disease can decrease kidney clearance, and liver disease can decrease liver clearance.
- Drug interactions: Some drugs can affect the clearance of other drugs by altering their metabolism or excretion.
Measurement of clearance[edit | edit source]
Clearance can be measured directly or indirectly. Direct measurement involves collecting all of the eliminated drug over a certain period of time and measuring its concentration. Indirect measurement involves using mathematical models to estimate clearance based on the concentration of the drug in the blood at different times.
Clinical significance[edit | edit source]
Understanding the clearance of a drug is crucial in clinical medicine for determining the appropriate dosage and frequency of administration of a drug. It is also important in predicting the potential for drug interactions and adverse effects.
See also[edit | edit source]
 | This medical article is a stub. You can help WikiMD by expanding it. |
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
