Answer :
Final answer:
Total rolipram absorbed = AUC * application time = 39.3 (µg.hr)/L * 24 hr = 943.2 µg.
Explanation:
1. Area Under the Curve (AUC):
AUC, or Area Under the Curve, refers to the total amount of a drug in the bloodstream over a specific time interval.
It's a graphical representation of the drug concentration (on the y-axis) plotted against time (on the x-axis).
In this case, the AUC value provided is 39.3 (µg.hr)/L.
This means the average concentration of rolipram in the bloodstream over the 24-hour period was 39.3 micrograms per liter for every hour.
2. Application Time:
The application time is the duration the patch is applied to the skin, which is 24 hours in this scenario.
3. Relating AUC and Total Absorption:
AUC provides a measure of the total drug exposure over time.
To find the total amount of drug absorbed, we need to multiply the AUC by the application time.
Formula and Calculation:
Total Absorbed Amount = AUC * Application Time
Total Absorbed Amount = 39.3 (µg.hr)/L * 24 hours
Total Absorbed Amount = 943.2 µg
Interpretation:
Therefore, based on the provided AUC value, the total amount of rolipram absorbed from the patch during the 24-hour application is approximately 943.2 micrograms.
Additional Notes:
This calculation assumes a constant or near-constant rate of drug absorption from the patch throughout the 24 hours.
In reality, the absorption rate might vary slightly over time.
AUC is a valuable tool in pharmacokinetics, which is the study of how drugs move through the body.
