PAC2232 - Drug delivery and disposition

Leader(s): Dr Joseph Nicolazzo

Offered

Parkville Second semester 2009 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit introduces physicochemical properties of solids and the use of common excipients, polymers and powders with application to formulation and development of pharmaceutical dose forms such as tablets and capsules. This unit continues the foundation of knowledge about drug delivery and introduces students to fundamental concepts in pharmacokinetics and biopharmaceutics and their impact on drug disposition.

Objectives

Students will develop an understanding of:

1. formulation principles of solid pharmaceutical dosage forms such as tablets and capsules;
2. characteristics and general properties of excipients, polymers, powders, particle size reduction, power drying and powder mixing, methods to quantify powders in terms of particle size, texture and flow, mechanism whereby powders are manipulated;
3. basic pharmacokinetic principles associated with intravenous and oral drug administrations; compartmental and non-compartmental pharmacokinetic approaches;
4. factors influencing drug absorption and effects of altering absorption, clearance, volume of distribution on plasma concentration and amount of drug in the body
5. factors affecting steady-state plasma concentration;
6. how drugs bind to plasma proteins and how this impacts on drug PK;
7. how to estimate the absolute and relative bioavailability of drugs given either plasma or urine concentration data;
8. changes in pharmacokinetic parameters as a result of renal and hepatic diseases.

Assessment

in semester assessments: 20% (practicals and tutorials 8%; Pharmacokinetics and Biopharmaceutics workshops and tutorials 12%); final exam (3 hours): 80%

Contact hours

36 1 hour lectures/whole class tutorials, four 4 hour tutorials, one 3 hour computer -aided learning class, one 3 hour presentation/conversation debate, four 3 hour problem based/case based learning sessions and three 3 hour practicals

Prerequisites

PAC1222 Drug delivery I (or VCP1072 Pharmaceutical chemistry B)
PAC1132 Systems physiology (or VCP1082 Physiology II)

Additional information on this unit is available from the faculty at:

http://www.monash.edu.au/muso/support/