A drug X is a weak base. Do you expect more drug in stomach or plasma?

Study for the Pharmaceutics Xenobiotics Across Bio Membrane Test. Prepare with flashcards and multiple-choice questions, each providing hints and explanations. Get ready for your pharmacy exam!

Multiple Choice

A drug X is a weak base. Do you expect more drug in stomach or plasma?

Explanation:
A weak base tends to accumulate in acidic environments due to ion trapping. In the stomach, pH is very low, so the weak base is largely protonated to form the conjugate acid. This charged form cannot cross membranes easily, so once the drug enters the stomach lumen, it gets trapped there and its concentration rises relative to plasma. In plasma, pH is near neutral, where the base exists more in its uncharged, membrane‑permeable form, so it doesn’t get trapped as much. Therefore, more drug is expected in the stomach than in the plasma.

A weak base tends to accumulate in acidic environments due to ion trapping. In the stomach, pH is very low, so the weak base is largely protonated to form the conjugate acid. This charged form cannot cross membranes easily, so once the drug enters the stomach lumen, it gets trapped there and its concentration rises relative to plasma. In plasma, pH is near neutral, where the base exists more in its uncharged, membrane‑permeable form, so it doesn’t get trapped as much. Therefore, more drug is expected in the stomach than in the plasma.

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