Practical uses of individual pharmacokinetic parameters in drug development and clinical practice: examples and simulations.

This article summarizes the practical uses of the six key pharmacokinetic parameters, i.e. elimination half-life, volume of distribution, total clearance, fraction of administered dose eliminated by the kidneys, free fraction in plasma, and bioavailability. Emphasis is on the practical medical uses of these parameters in clinical practice and drug development. Numerous pharmacokinetic simulations are used to illustrate the different practical uses. The principles underlying drug dosage regimen design, drug concentration monitoring and adjustment, and dosage adjustment in renal disease are also discussed.