 Drug distribution

Drug distribution is movement of a drug between blood and other body compartments. Perfusion, membrane permeability, tissue binding and plasma-protein binding jointly affect it. The apparent distribution volume iswhere $A$ is the amount in the body and $C_p$ the plasma concentration. If $A=100$ mg and $C_p=2$ mg/L, $V_d=50$ L. ^[ref]

The result is a proportionality quantity, not an anatomical cavity that must contain that many litres. Extensive tissue binding can lower $C_p$ and make $V_d$ large. A rapid fall in plasma concentration immediately after administration can therefore reflect distribution as well as drug elimination; distinguishing them requires a model and a suitable sampling schedule.