A large, multinational drug corporation conducts a phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety profile and pharmacokinetic properties of a new drug designed to treat refractory epilepsy. Initial studies in animals showed that the drug undergoes extensive metabolism by the liver into glucuronidation byproducts that are primarily excreted by the kidneys. The curve below demonstrates the glucuronidation rate of the drug over a wide range of doses. Which of the following is the most accurate statement about this drug's metabolism?

Question

A large, multinational drug corporation conducts a phase I clinical trial to evaluate the safety profile and pharmacokinetic properties of a new drug designed to treat refractory epilepsy.  Initial studies in animals showed that the drug undergoes extensive metabolism by the liver into glucuronidation byproducts that are primarily excreted by the kidneys.  The curve below demonstrates the glucuronidation rate of the drug over a wide range of doses.  Which of the following is the most accurate statement about this drug's metabolism?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Because a fixed percentage (or proportion) of the medication is metabolized per unit of time according to first-order kinetics, the amount metabolized varies with serum concentration. In zero-order kinetics, drug metabolism occurs at a constant rate per unit of time regardless of blood levels.

A Large, Multinational Drug Corporation Conducts a Phase I Clinical