Pharmacokinetics of prostaglandins: prediction of steady-state concentrations during intravenous infusion.

A pharmacokinetic model useful for compounds with high pulmonary clearance is presented which defines the interrelationships of extraction ratios and cardiac output in determining the steady-state plasma concentration during continuous intravenous infusion. Under the assumption of a dose-independent kinetics, the single pass and the recirculating system are treated with linear system theory. The analysis of data from the literature suggests that the model adequately describes the disposition of prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha) in man.