What is clearance in pharmacology?

Clearance in pharmacology refers specifically to the ability of the body to eliminate a drug from circulation. This process is crucial because it helps determine the duration and intensity of a drug's effect in the body. The concept of clearance is expressed in terms of volume of plasma completely cleared of the drug per unit of time, typically measured in liters per hour.

Clearance is influenced by several factors, including renal function (kidney clearance), hepatic function (liver clearance), and other factors like drug interactions and individual patient characteristics. Understanding clearance is essential for clinicians when determining dosing regimens and ensuring that drug therapy is both effective and safe for patients.