Biomolecular Engineering: Introduction to Pharmacokinetics and Drug Delivery

The course was presented in a concise, detailed and comprehensive way. Drug delivery systems explain the different routes of administration of drugs, bioavailability of drugs in the various routes, metabolism and elimination.

The delivery systems covered were: Intravenous injection, intravenous infusion, intramuscular injection, subcutaneous injection, sublingual tablets, oral tablets, and eye and ear drops.
Bioavailability is 100 percent with intravenous injection and infusion because the drug is introduced directly to the blood system. Bioavailability is 80 to 90 percent in intramuscular injections and subcutaneous injections. And lower in oral formulations because drugs get digested in the digestive system and first pass metabolism in the liver before entering the blood stream.

Blood elimination is concentrated related, that is the half life of the drug. Bigger proportions of the drug is eliminated when the drug concentration is higher and faster. When the concentration is lower, slow elimination occurs.