[Pharmacokinetics--questions of terminology and problems]

Pharmacokinetics have become one indispensable tool in drug evaluation, clinical pharmacology and diagnostics. Therefore the basic principles of pharmacokinetics are outlined and pertinent definitions are given. Some scientific terms in this field are explained in order to facilitate interdisciplinary communication. The theoretical background of some practicable algorithms for obtaining pharmacokinetical parameters is described with the attempt of relying solely on the understanding usually induced by basic courses in biology, medicine and chemistry. It is demonstrated that the evaluation of pharmacokinetical analyses may only be interpreted in a context of any or all of these disciplines. Without this context pharmacokinetical results may remain mere mathematical descriptions of unknown mechanisms.