Two-compartment pharmacokinetic models: computer simulations of their characteristics and clinical consequences.

Computer simulations of two-compartment models of drug disposition were made. These simulations show how variations in each of the three intercompartmental rate constants are related to altered blood and tissue concentrations. Various simulations following rapid injection or continuous infusion are presented to demonstrate the general behavior of such a pharmacokinetic model. A system of drug classification based on comparative values of a drug's intercompartmental rate constants is proposed, and characteristics and consequences of each class are discussed in terms of possible therapeutic results.