Aim To establish the pharmacokinetic principles of the
zero-order release and the
first-order release of mono-compartment
drugs administered by non-parenteral route based on the release kinetics of the dosage forms and the intrinsic pharmacokinetic parameters of the active drug, such as the rate constants of the absorption and elimination, and the distribution volume of the drug. Methods By the Laplace transform and the compartmental analysis method, the pharmacokinetic behaviors of the
zero-order release and the
first-order release of mono-compartment drugs administered by non-parenteral routes were deduced with divisions of the dose being absorbed during the release phase and after the release has terminated. Results The pharmacokinetics of the non-parenteral administration of the zero-order release and the first-order release of mono-compartment drugs were established. Conclusion The pharmacokinetic theories of the zero-order release and the first-order release of mono-compartment drugs administered by non-parenteral route have been established. Since the zero-order release and the first-order release are the primary release patterns, the theory should be a key to explore the pharmacokinetics of the controlled/sustained release dosage forms.