An antibiotic, A, is metabolized in the body by a first order reaction:- delta [
ID: 837260 • Letter: A
Question
An antibiotic, A, is metabolized in the body by a first order reaction:- delta [A]/delta t=k [A]. The rate constant, k, depends on temperature and body mass. At 37 degrees C, k=3.0x10^-4 s^-1 for a 60 kg person. How frequently must a 60 kg person take 750 mg pills of antibiotic, in order to be sure to keep the concentration of antibiotic from falling below 150 mg per 60 kg body mass? [You can assume that upon ingestion, the antibiotic is immediately distributed uniformly through the body.] Show work please
Explanation / Answer
We need to find the time required for the concenration to fall from 750mg to 150 mg given k = 3.0 * 10-4
Thus,
t = 2.303/k * log ( 750 / 150)
= 5365.75 sec