The determination of mean residence time using statistical moments:It is correct

Abstract

The present communication seeks to end a controversy created by a recent publication regarding the applicability of statistical moment principles for determination of mean residence time of drug in the body ¯t_b.It is shown that the equation ¯t_b=AUMC/AUC iscorrect when applied to pharmacokinetic systems in which the total drug elimination rate is directly proportional to the drug concentration in the systemic circulation, i.e., firstorder central elimination. More general equations for ¯t_b in terms of elimination rate, amount eliminated, and amount in the body are presented along with demonstrations of their utility.