Concentration of a drug in blood is 40 microgna/ml. Dose of the drug is 200mg. Volume of distribution of the drug assuming minute elimination is ?
## Core Concept
The volume of distribution (Vd) is a pharmacokinetic parameter that relates the amount of drug in the body to its concentration in the blood or plasma. It is calculated as the dose of the drug administered divided by the concentration of the drug in the blood. The formula for Vd is Vd = dose / concentration.
## Why the Correct Answer is Right
Given that the dose of the drug is 200 mg and the concentration of the drug in the blood is 40 micrograms/ml, we can substitute these values into the Vd formula. First, ensure the units are consistent; convert the dose to micrograms for simplicity: 200 mg = 200,000 micrograms. The concentration is given as 40 micrograms/ml. So, Vd = 200,000 micrograms / 40 micrograms/ml = 5,000 ml. To convert milliliters to liters, divide by 1,000 (since 1 liter = 1,000 ml), which gives Vd = 5 liters.
## Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect
- **Option A:** Without a specific value, it's hard to directly refute, but any option not equal to 5 liters based on the correct calculation would be incorrect.
- **Option B:** Similarly, without a specific value, but if it's not 5 liters, it's incorrect based on the calculation.
- **Option C:** This option is not provided, but presumably, if it were not 5 liters, it would be incorrect.
- **Option D:** If this option does not match 5 liters, then it is incorrect based on the calculation provided.
## Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact
A key point to remember is that the volume of distribution does not necessarily reflect a real physiological volume but rather a theoretical volume that would contain the total amount of drug administered if it were uniformly distributed to produce the observed concentration. A Vd of 5 liters suggests that the drug is distributed outside of the plasma compartment, as the plasma volume is approximately 3 liters.
## Correct Answer: B. 5L.