A drug is administered in a dose of 200 mg and its plasma concentration is 40 micro gram/ml. What is the volume of distribution –
## **Core Concept**
The volume of distribution (Vd) is a pharmacokinetic parameter that relates the amount of drug in the body to its plasma concentration. It is a theoretical volume that would contain the total amount of administered drug at the same concentration as in plasma. The formula to calculate Vd is: Vd = dose / plasma concentration.
## **Why the Correct Answer is Right**
To calculate the volume of distribution, we use the formula Vd = dose / plasma concentration. Given that the dose administered is 200 mg and the plasma concentration is 40 micrograms/ml, we first need to ensure the units are consistent. The dose in micrograms is 200,000 micrograms (since 1 mg = 1000 micrograms). The plasma concentration is given as 40 micrograms/ml. Thus, Vd = 200,000 micrograms / 40 micrograms/ml = 5,000 ml. Since 1 liter = 1000 ml, 5,000 ml equals 5 liters.
## **Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
- **Option A:** This option is incorrect because it does not match our calculated volume of distribution of 5 liters.
- **Option B:** This option is incorrect for the same reason as Option A; the calculation does not support this value.
- **Option C:** This is the correct calculation as shown above, so we don't discuss it here.
- **Option D:** This option is incorrect as it does not align with the calculated volume of distribution.
## **Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
A key point to remember is that the volume of distribution does not necessarily reflect a real physiological space but rather a pharmacokinetic compartment. Drugs that are highly lipid-soluble have a large volume of distribution because they are sequestered into tissues, whereas drugs that are highly water-soluble have a volume of distribution close to the volume of plasma or extracellular fluid.
## **Correct Answer:** . 5 liters