Biopharmaceutical classification system BCS

Fig. 12 Illustration of the Biopharmaceutical Classification System (BCS), which classifies drug absorption potential on the basis of aqueous solubility or membrane permeability. (Copyright 2000 Saguaro Technical Press, Inc., used with permission.)...

Bioavailability depends not only on having the drug in solution, but also on the drug s permeability. A jejunal permeability of at least 2-4 x 10 4cm/s, measured in human subjects by intubation, is considered high [97]. For many drugs and other substances, this permeability corresponds to a fraction absorbed of 90% or better. Amidon et al. [97] thus proposed a Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) for drugs based on the above definitions of these two parameters. Table 3 defines the BCS and includes some drugs representative of each class. 

Fig. 7.5. The Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) provides a scientific basis for predicting intestinal drug absorption and for identifying the rate-limiting step based on primary biopharmaceutical properties such as solubility and effective intestinal permeability (Pefr). BCS serves as a product control instrument. The BCS divides drugs into four different classes based on their solubility and...

Based on their solubility and intestinal permeability characteristics, drugs have been classified into one of four categories according to the Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS) proposed by Amidon et al. [49]. 

Tab. 8.2. Biopharmaceutics Classification System (BCS). BCS is a permeability and solubility classification.

Fig. 15.5. The biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS). Drug-like molecules are grouped into four BCS classes based on their solubility and permeability. A drug is regarded as a highly soluble compound if the maximum dose given orally is soluble in 250 mL fluid in the...

When formulating with crystalline drugs that have received a Biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) ranking as being either... 

The example of amprenavir, an HIV-1 protease inhibitor, shows that intestinal metabolism can also be used as a strategy to enhance the bioavailability of compounds. In the biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS), amprenavir can be categorized as a class II compound it is poorly soluble but highly permeable [51]. Fosamprenavir, the water-soluble phosphate salt of amprenavir, on the other hand, shows poor transepithelial transport. However, after oral administration of fosamprenavir, this compound is metabolized into amprenavir in the intestinal lumen and in the enterocytes mainly by alkaline phosphatases, resulting in an increased intestinal absorption [51, 174],... 

Moller H (2002) The biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) and its usage. Drugs Made in Germany 45 63-65. 

Since solubility and permeability are the two most important factors influencing oral absorption of drugs, the following biopharmaceutical classification system (BCS) for drug substances, based on the work by Amidon et al.,67 has been recommended by the FDA 68... 

Blume HH, Schug BS. The biopharmaceutics classification system (BCS) class III drugs-better candidates for BA/BE waiver Eur J Pharm Sci 1999 9 117-121. 

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