Question

The prototype drug used to create red blood cells (RBCs) is epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit). The pharmacokinetics include which of the following? (Choose all that apply.)

a) Absorption

b) Distribution

c) Metabolism

d) Excretion

Answer 1

The pharmacokinetics of epoetin alfa, used to create red blood cells, includes absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. These processes determine how the drug is taken up, distributed, metabolized, and ultimately cleared from the body.

Step-by-step explanation:

The pharmacokinetics of the prototype drug epoetin alfa (Epogen, Procrit), used to stimulate the production of red blood cells (RBCs), encompasses various processes. These processes can be broadly categorized into four main areas:

• Absorption - This refers to how the drug is taken up into the bloodstream after administration.
• Distribution - After absorption, the drug gets distributed throughout the body, reaching its site of action among other tissues.
• Metabolism - Epoetin alfa, like other drugs, is metabolized, often in the liver, to various metabolites.
• Excretion - This is the process by which the drug and its metabolites are removed from the body, typically through the kidneys or, in some cases, in bile.

All these pharmacokinetic processes are integral to how epoetin alfa functions and achieves its therapeutic effect of elevating erythrocyte counts to enhance oxygen delivery.