Clearance (pharmacology)
Clearance measures the volume of plasma cleared of a substance per unit time.
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Clearance is a pharmacokinetic parameter that quantifies the efficiency of drug elimination from the body, defined as the rate of elimination divided by the concentration of the substance. It represents the theoretical volume of plasma from which the substance is completely removed per unit time, typically measured in L/h or mL/min. The concept was described by Thomas Addis, a graduate of the University of Edinburgh Medical School.
Quick Facts
- Described by
- Thomas Addis
- Graduate of
- University of Edinburgh Medical School
- Typical units
- L/h or mL/min
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- Total body clearance equals the sum of clearance by each organ (e.g., renal clearance + hepatic clearance + pulmonary clearance).
- Clearance is variable in zero-order kinetics because a constant amount of drug is eliminated per unit time, but constant in first-order kinetics.
- An increase in total clearance results in a decrease in elimination half-life, provided distribution volume is constant.
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Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Clearance (pharmacology) (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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