Transl Clin Pharmacol.  2018 Dec;26(4):166-171. 10.12793/tcp.2018.26.4.166.

Development of a user-friendly training software for pharmacokinetic concepts and models

• Han S
• Lim B
• Lee H
• Bae SH

• KMID: 2429512
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12793/tcp.2018.26.4.166

Abstract

Although there are many commercially available training software programs for pharmacokinetics, they lack flexibility and convenience. In this study, we develop simulation software to facilitate pharmacokinetics education. General formulas for time courses of drug concentrations after single and multiple dosing were used to build source code that allows users to simulate situations tailored to their learning objectives. A mathematical relationship for a 1-compartment model was implemented in the form of differential equations. The concept of population pharmacokinetics was also taken into consideration for further applications. The source code was written using R. For the convenience of users, two types of software were developed: a web-based simulator and a standalone-type application. The application was built in the JAVA language. We used the JAVA/R Interface library and the "˜eval()' method from JAVA for the R/JAVA interface. The final product has an input window that includes fields for parameter values, dosing regimen, and population pharmacokinetics options. When a simulation is performed, the resulting drug concentration time course is shown in the output window. The simulation results are obtained within 1 minute even if the population pharmacokinetics option is selected and many parameters are considered, and the user can therefore quickly learn a variety of situations. Such software is an excellent candidate for development as an open tool intended for wide use in Korea. Pharmacokinetics experts will be able to use this tool to teach various audiences, including undergraduates.

Keyword

Pharmacokinetics; Simulation Training; Software

MeSH Terms

Education
Indonesia
Korea
Learning
Methods
Pharmacokinetics
Pliability
Simulation Training

Figure

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  Figure 1 The structure of the software (standalone-type).

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  Figure 2 User interface of the software (standalone-type).

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  Figure 3 Folder contents seen after clicking ‘Open Results Folder’ in the output window.

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  Figure 4 Generated files. (A) Table of observed pharmacokinetic parameters. (B) Simulation results when the population PK option is not selected. (C) Scatterplot matrix of randomly generated model parameter values. (D) Simulation results when the population PK option is selected.

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