Area Under the Curve (AUC)
A pharmacokinetic measure representing total drug exposure over time, calculated from a graph of drug concentration versus time. AUC is a key parameter in bioequivalence studies, drug interaction assessments, and dose optimisation for peptide therapeutics.
Technical Context
AUC is calculated by integrating the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to either a specific time point (AUC0-t) or infinity (AUC0-∞, extrapolated). AUC represents total systemic drug exposure and is directly proportional to the amount of drug absorbed (bioavailable dose). AUC is the primary parameter for bioequivalence assessment — two formulations are bioequivalent if their AUC and Cmax values fall within 80-125% of each other. For peptide drugs, AUC comparisons between formulations (e.g. oral vs injectable semaglutide) help establish dose equivalence. AUC also appears in the fundamental PK equation: CL = F × Dose / AUC.