Cmax (pharmacology)

Cmax is a term used in pharmacokinetics refers to the maximum (or peak) concentration that a drug achieves in tested area after the drug has been administrated and prior to the administration of a second dose. Cmax is the opposite of Cmin, which is the minimum (or trough) concentration that a drug achieves after dosing.[1]

Short term drug side effects are most likely to occur at or near the Cmax whereas the therapeutic effect of drug with sustained duration of action usually occurs a concentrations slightly above the Cmin.

The Cmax is often measured in an effort to show bioequivalence between a generic and innovator drug product.[2]

References

  1. ^ Tracy TS (2004). "Pharmacokinetics". In Stitzel RE, Craig CF. Modern pharmacology with clinical applications. Hagerstwon, MD: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. p. 49. ISBN 0-7817-3762-1. 
  2. ^ Midha KK, Rawson MJ, Hubbard JW (October 2005). "The bioequivalence of highly variable drugs and drug products". Int J Clin Pharmacol Ther 43 (10): 485–98. PMID 16240706.