Bioavailability & Bioequivalence

Biography

Biography: Royida Al Marastani

Abstract

Bioavailability is a pharmacokinetic term that describes the rate and extent to which the active drug ingredient is absorbed from a drug product and becomes available at the site of drug action. Since pharmacologic response is generally related to the concentration of drug at the receptor site, the availability of a drug from a dosage form is a critical element of a drug product’s clinical efficacy. However, drug concentrations usually cannot be readily measured directly at the site of drug.The availability of different formulations of the same drug substance given at the same strength and in the same dosage form poses a special challenge to health care professionals, making these issues very relevant to pharmacists in all practice settings. Since pharmacists play an important role in product-selection decisions, they must understand the principles and concepts of bioavailability and bioequivalence. Co administration of oral intake of herbs, supplements, foods and drugs with other drug(s) may affects pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamics of the drugs. Although these interactions are often associated with undesired outcomes such as adverse drugs reactions, sub therapeutic effects or they can also produce potentially desired effects. Desired pharmacokinetic effects include enhancing of the bioavailability of a drug (i.e., by increasing the rate of the absorption and/or inhibiting metabolism)