What Is a PK Study?

One of the reasons that there are so many research studies for certain drugs is because we have a lot to learn about how our bodies interact with them. One of the most important ways we understand those interactions is through PK studies. What is a PK study, and what should you expect if you participate in one?

What Is a PK Study?

We use research studies to help us understand how different kinds of medications affect our bodies. However, have you ever thought about how our bodies affect medications in turn? If you haven’t, you might be interested to learn more about pharmacokinetic (PK) studies. So, what is a PK study, and what’s it like to participate in one?

The World of Pharmacokinetics

When new medicines are developed, we need to know everything we possibly can about how they affect our bodies. Of course we want to know if they’re effective, but there is a lot of other information that scientists need to determine how and when they can be safely used. Enter the world of pharmacokinetics, or the study of how the human body interacts with different kinds of medications during their trial phases. PK studies monitor how a drug interacts with our body as it enters, passes through, and exits our systems:

• Absorption studies help us understand how our bodies absorb the drug after initial dosing. Absorption studies focus on bloodstreams, as well as the gastrointestinal tract.
• Distribution studies look at how a drug spreads through the body after initial dosing, and whether it is confined to the bloodstream or able to reach other systems of the body.
• Metabolism studies focus on how the body uses the drug after it has been absorbed and distributed to appropriate systems. This primarily focuses on liver function.
• Excretion studies focus on how the drug leaves the body once it has been absorbed, distributed, and metabolized. If drugs do not leave the body efficiently, they can build up in a system and sometimes have adverse effects as a result.

A PK study can focus on any or all of these elements. They are an extremely important type of clinical research study, as they provide us with the information we need to understand how a potential medication will affect a patient from the beginning of their treatment to the end.

What Is a PK Study Like?

PK studies typically involve taking blood samples over a period of time to study biological markers related to the drug that is being tested. PK studies can also be an opt-in element of a larger set of research studies that someone is already participating in. research studies can vary based on their goals, so be sure to review the protocol carefully before you agree to participate.

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What is a PK study? It’s an aspect of a clinical research study that helps us understand how our bodies use a drug that is being tested. PK studies keep patients safe, and participating in one can help save lives. If you’re able, why not participate?

Have you ever thought about participating in a clinical research study? You could be a part of history! QPS Missouri is looking for new participants. Since opening its doors in 1994, QPS Missouri has conducted more than 1,500 FDA-regulated studies, paying out nearly $50 million to local participants. Your local participation could have a global impact, as QPS is an international leader in contract research with facilities in North America, Europe, and Asia. Our mission is to accelerate the development of drugs worldwide by enabling breakthroughs in pharmaceutical innovation. This includes several pediatric studies across several age ranges. If you would like to join us in this crucial healthcare mission, consider applying for a clinical research study.

To get started, you simply need to fill out an online application. After that, within 48 business hours, a recruiting coordinator will contact you for your pre-screening assessment. To learn more, please visit the QPS Missouri website, review the study participation process, or check out our list of frequently asked questions.