1. What is Area Under Curve?

Area Under Curve (AUC) is the definite integral of a curve that describes the variation of a drug concentration in blood plasma as a function of time. It represents the total drug exposure over time and is a key parameter in pharmacokinetics.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( AUC \) — Area Under Curve (mol·s/m³)
• \( D \) — Dose of drug administered (mol)
• \( V_d \) — Volume of Distribution (m³)
• \( k_e \) — Elimination Rate Constant (s⁻¹)

Explanation: This formula calculates the total drug exposure by dividing the administered dose by the product of volume of distribution and elimination rate constant.

3. Importance of AUC Calculation

Details: AUC is a crucial pharmacokinetic parameter that helps determine drug bioavailability, compare different formulations, and establish dosing regimens. It provides information about the total drug exposure over time.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter dose in moles, volume of distribution in cubic meters, and elimination rate constant in per second. All values must be positive numbers greater than zero.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What does AUC represent in pharmacokinetics?
A: AUC represents the total drug exposure over time, which is the integral of drug concentration in plasma versus time curve.

Q2: How is AUC related to bioavailability?
A: AUC is directly proportional to bioavailability - the fraction of administered drug that reaches systemic circulation unchanged.

Q3: What factors affect AUC values?
A: AUC is affected by dose, absorption rate, distribution volume, metabolism, and elimination rate of the drug.

Q4: Why is AUC important in drug development?
A: AUC is used to determine bioequivalence between formulations, establish therapeutic windows, and guide dosing regimens.

Q5: How does clearance relate to AUC?
A: Clearance (CL) can be calculated as Dose/AUC, showing the inverse relationship between clearance and AUC.