An initial slope method for model structure: independent estimation of the elimination rate constant of a metabolite.

A model structure-independent method for calculating the true elimination rate constant of a primary metabolite is presented. It does not require direct metabolite administration and uses data on drug and metabolite blood (plasma) concentrations after a bolus drug input. The method has been tested and compared with the moment method and the area function method using errorless and errant data simulated on the basis of one- and two-compartment models of the metabolite kinetics. In contrast to known methods the proposed method provided exact estimates of the elimination rate constant in the case of errorless data of both one- and two-compartment models. However the estimates are sensitive to random errors in the concentration data.