The absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs in the body collectively shape the exposure-time curve, which largely determines the intensity of therapeutic response, onset rate, duration, and spectrum of adverse reactions. With the advancement of new drug development and the concept of personalized treatment, the issue of significant differences in exposure at the same dose regimen, as well as inconsistent efficacy and toxicity profiles, has become increasingly prominent. Pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics thus serve as the critical link connecting "dose-exposure-therapeutic effect/safety." This article systematically reviews the core concepts of PK from four dimensions—absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion—explains their impact pathways on onset and duration, targeting and therapeutic window, as well as acute and chronic toxicity risks. Based on this, it discusses clinical optimization strategies for drug use based on pharmacokinetic characteristics, providing insights for exposure control, risk identification, and individualized dosing.
Keywords: Drug exposure; Therapeutic window; Individualized dosing
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Funding
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