Compare And Contrast Acetaminophen And Aspirin
Drugs are commonly classified as weak acids or weak bases. When placed in solution they can exist in both ionized and unionized forms, which is dependent upon the pH of the solution and the pKa of the drug. Weak acids (pKa of 3.0-7.5) become completely ionized at a higher pH. Acetaminophen and aspirin are examples of weak acids.
When a drug reaches the kidney it has three possible outcomes: tubular secretion, tubular reabsorption, or glomerular filtration. We can enhance the elimination of the weak acids like aspirin by manipulating the pH to be more alkaline which will make the drug be in its ionized state when it reaches the tubular lumen. This ionized form is water-soluble and lacks the ability to cross semi-permeable cell membranes.
When a drug reaches the kidney it has three possible outcomes: tubular secretion, tubular reabsorption, or glomerular filtration. We can enhance the elimination of the weak acids like aspirin by manipulating the pH to be more alkaline which will make the drug be in its ionized state when it reaches the tubular lumen. This ionized form is water-soluble and lacks the ability to cross semi-permeable cell membranes.