Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2025

An Intestine/Liver Microphysiological System for Drug Pharmacokinetic and Toxicological Assessment
Published on: December 3, 2020
A Physiologically Based Pharmacokinetic Model to Predict Systemic Ondansetron Concentration in Liver Cirrhosis
Faleh Alqahtani1, Abdullah H Alruwaili1, Mohammed S Alasmari1
1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
Introduction:
Ondansetron is a drug that is routinely prescribed for the management of nausea and vomiting associated with cancer, radiation therapy, and surgical operations. It is mainly metabolized in the liver, and it might accumulate in patients with hepatic impairment and lead to unwanted adverse events.
Methods:
A physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) model was developed to predict the exposure of ondansetron in healthy and liver cirrhosis populations. The population-based PBPK simulator PK-Sim was utilized for simulating ondansetron exposure in healthy and liver cirrhosis populations.
Results:
The developed model successfully described the pharmacokinetics of ondansetron in healthy and liver cirrhosis populations. The predicted area under the curve, maximum systemic concentration, and clearance were within the allowed twofold range. The exposure of ondansetron in the population of Child-Pugh class C has doubled in comparison to Child-Pugh class A. The dose has to be adjusted for liver cirrhosis patients to ensure comparable exposure to a healthy population.
Conclusion:
In this study, the developed PBPK model has described the pharmacokinetics of ondansetron successfully. The PBPK model has been successfully evaluated to be used as a tool for dose adjustments in liver cirrhosis patients.
Related Concept Videos
Physiological Pharmacokinetic Models: Incorporating Hepatic Transporter-Mediated Clearance
A recent model describes pravastatin's hepatobiliary excretion,...
Physiological Pharmacokinetic Models: Assumption with Protein Binding
Pharmacokinetic Models: Overview
There are three primary types of models: empirical, compartment, and physiological. Empirical models, with minimal...
Compartment Models: Two-Compartment Model
Model Approaches for Pharmacokinetic Data: Distributed Parameter Models
The distributed parameter models are specifically designed to account for variations and differences in some drug classes. This model is particularly useful for assessing regional concentrations of anticancer or...
Pharmacokinetic Models: Comparison and Selection Criterion
Physiological models take a detailed approach by considering specific molecular processes. They can predict drug distribution, metabolism, and elimination changes, providing a comprehensive understanding of how drugs interact with the body.

