Pharmacokinetic calculator program for generation of initial parameter estimates from a three-compartment infusion model

Abstract

A polyexponential curve-stripping program, KIN, is described for use on the HP-41CV programmable calculator. The program may be used in the analysis of plasma-concentration-time curves for a three-compartment intravenous bolus or infusion model with linear elimination processes. The coefficients and hybrid rate constants of the exponential function are then used to compute pharmacokinetic parameters (volume of the central compartment, intercompartmental rate transfer constants), which may be used as initial estimates of model parameters in non-linear regression curve-fitting procedures.