Blood Concentration Graph - Medication Level Over Time

Medication Levels

Blood Concentration Graph
Medication Level (Bioavailability) vs. Time

When is the best time to take a medicine to maximize its effectiveness?

Many medicines, such as aspirin and clonidine, closely follow the time curves shown below. The peak occurs at about 1 1/2 hours after ingestion, and the medicine is mostly metabolized after about 8 hours.

At about one and one-half hours after ingestion, the greatest blood-thinning effect of aspirin will be realized. At about one and one-half hours after ingestion, the greatest blood-pressure lowering effect of clonidine (Catapres) will be realized. I have graphed the clonidine effectiveness by measuring my blood pressure over time. After about 8 hours, my blood pressure rises back up to the level where it was when I took the pill.

. Blood Concentration Levels vs. Time Chart We are all familiar with the low-dosage aspirin regimen, consisting of a single 1/4 dose of aspirin daily (81 mg). When should you take it? Wouldn't it be better to take it 3 times a day?
Times per Day	Doctor Code	. Latin	Hours	Period	Pro - Con.
Once	S.I.D.	semel in die	24	Largest ineffective period	Easiest dosing
Twice	B.I.D.	bis in die	12	Shorter ineffective period	Medium dosing
Three times	T.I.D.	ter in die	8	Shorter ineffective period	Harder dosing
Four times	Q.I.D.	quater in die	6	Shortest ineffective period	Hardest dosing
. Pharmacokinetics Factors that determine blood levels (bioavailability) over time include - - The Volume of Distribution (Vd) = Drug amount / Blood concentration - The Clearance (Cl) of a drug = Drug Amount / Time - The Elimination constant (kel) - Fat solubility vs. Water solubility .

Disclaimer
The author is not a doctor.
NO MEDICAL ADVICE IS OFFERED OR IMPLIED.
Statements on this page may NOT be correct.
These are just my personal thoughts.
The sole purpose of this page is to encourage further research on your part.

I hope that you have found this blood concentration level information page helpful.
Thank you very much for your time.

This Vaughns Medicine Blood Concentration Chart web page was updated on 2009-04-12.