Error dependent on renal function when monoexponential equation assumed.

An example from the literature has been used to demonstrate errors involved in calculating drug clearance by inappropriate use of the apparent drug distribution volume Vdext. The Vdext is always an overestimate of the true volume of distribution in a multicompartment system, and the degree of overestimation in using it to calculate clearance for such a system will increase as renal function increases. Drug dosages calculated on the basis of overestimated clearance values may give rise to overdosage in normal individuals, or therapeutic failure in severely uremic patients. Problems associated with the use of an oversimplified pharmacokinetic model for clearance calculations are discussed, together with the concept of model-independent calculations.