Methods for prediction of drug distribution volume

The extent of drug distribution in body, including volume of distribution and tissue-to-plasma partition coefficients, is an important indicator to evaluate drug efficacy and adverse effect. Considering the ethical issue, the two parameters can not be directly measured in human, therefore, it is significant to predict the volume of distribution and the tissue-to-plasma partition coefficients accurately. This paper reviewes recent developments in prediction of volume of distribution at steady-state based on empirical method, half-mechanistic method and physiologically-based pharmacokinetic model, respectively.