Which formulation will produce a concentration-time curve furthest to the left?

Which formulation will produce a concentration-time curve furthest to the left?

• A. Capsule
• B. Coated Tablet
• C. Solution
• D. Tablet

Answer: (C)

Absorption rate determines how quickly the drug appears in the bloodstream, which determines where the concentration-time profile sits along the time axis. A solution already has the drug dissolved, so it can be absorbed immediately without any disintegration or dissolution steps. This rapid start produces a faster rise in plasma concentration and an earlier Tmax, pushing the curve furthest to the left. Solid forms like tablets or capsules must disintegrate and dissolve, and a coated tablet delays release further, so their curves appear later (to the right) compared with a solution. Thus, the formulation that gives the leftmost concentration-time curve is the solution.

Absorption rate determines how quickly the drug appears in the bloodstream, which determines where the concentration-time profile sits along the time axis. A solution already has the drug dissolved, so it can be absorbed immediately without any disintegration or dissolution steps. This rapid start produces a faster rise in plasma concentration and an earlier Tmax, pushing the curve furthest to the left. Solid forms like tablets or capsules must disintegrate and dissolve, and a coated tablet delays release further, so their curves appear later (to the right) compared with a solution. Thus, the formulation that gives the leftmost concentration-time curve is the solution.