The absorption rate of the drug after is described by the . A larger absorption rate constant means faster rate of drug absorption.
The rate of drug absorption is important after a single drug administration for the treatment of an acute condition. This is because the rate of drug absorption will determine the onset of drug effect with rapid absorption leading to faster onset of effect, which is preferred when treating acute symptoms.
Slow drug absorption is usually preferred during multiple drug administration for the management of chronic diseases. This is because slow absorption leads to small fluctuations in the drug plasma concentration during multiple administration. The small fluctuations usually produce steady therapeutic effect when using drugs that have direct drug concentration-effect relationship.
