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Metabolic Clearance Rate

Meaning

Metabolic Clearance Rate (MCR) is a pharmacokinetic parameter defined as the theoretical volume of plasma or blood from which a substance, such as a hormone or drug, is completely and irreversibly removed per unit of time. Expressed in units like milliliters per minute, MCR provides a quantitative measure of the body’s overall efficiency in eliminating a compound, encompassing all routes of irreversible removal, including enzymatic metabolism and renal or biliary excretion. This rate is crucial for determining steady-state concentrations and appropriate maintenance dosing in clinical practice.