The method of administering a drug can have a strong influence on the drug concentration curve. Figure 4.100 shows drug concentration curves for penicillin following various routes of administration. Three milligrams per kilogram of body weight were dissolved in water and administered intravenously (IV), intramuscularly (IM), subcutaneously (SC), and orally (PO). The same quantity of penicillin dissolved in oil was administered intramuscularly (P-IM). The minimum effective concentration (MEC) is labeled on the graph.(a) Which method reaches peak concentration the fastest? The slowest?(b) Which method has the largest peak concentration? The smallest?(c) Which method wears off the fastest? The slowest?

(d) Which method has the longest effective duration? The shortest?(e) When penicillin is administered orally, for approximately what time interval is it effective?

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concentration of penicillin in serum (μg/ml) 10 5 1 0.5 0.1 0.05 0.01 IV IM PO 6 SC 12 P-IM Figure 4.100 18 24 MEC t (hours)