What
computer requirements are needed to run PK Solutions?
In general, PK Solutions will run on any computer that has Microsoft Excel™ installed. This includes Windows, Macintosh, and Linux based operating systems.
For Windows
systems, PK Solutions will work in all versions of Windows Excel from ver. 5
to ver. 2010 and 2012, in Windows 95 thru Windows XP/Vista/7/8.
For Macintosh systems, PK Solutions will work in Mac Excel versions 2000, 2004 and 2011. Mac Office/Excel 2008 does not support VBA macros, as used in PK Solutions. However, Mac Office/Excel 2004 or (Mac Excel 2004 alone) can be installed to run side-by-side with an installed version of Mac Office/Excel 2008 on the same computer. This dual version configuration gives you access to Mac Office/Excel files containing VBA macros (including PK Solutions) not supported in Mac Office 2008.
How
does PK Solutions run in Microsoft Excel?
PK Solutions
is an Excel template file (.xlt extension). Each time you click on the
template file, a new workbook (.xls extension) opens with the default
contents of the original template file. You can name and save this new
workbook to any location you choose. The original template file cannot
be altered or corrupted.
Where
should I save the PK Solutions template file on my computer?
You can
copy the PK Solutions template file to any location on your computer
that you like. It does not need to be in the so-called "Templates" folder
for Excel. Place it anywhere and then simply click or double-click on
it to start a new instance of PK Solutions.
Can
I use the software on more than one computer?
If you purchased
a Single User License, you can use the software on your work and personal
computer, if you are the sole user.
I
purchased a Single User License for myself. Can my assistant use the
software?
No. It is
a violation of the Single User License agreement to allow anyone else
to use or obtain a copy of your PK Solutions software. If other people
in your group or department need or would like to use PK Solutions, your
organization must upgrade your license to a Three User or a Limited Site
/ Network license. See the Order Information page for purchase details.
We
want to expand our user license. Will we get a refund for the initial
purchase?
Yes. When
you upgrade your user license to include more users, the cost of your
initial purchase is fully rebated if your upgrade occurs within six months
of your initial purchase. For example, if you expand from a Single User
to a Three User license, the full cost of the initial license will be
deducted when you purchase the Three User license. This rebate applies
for any upgrade in user licenses.
How
can I compare the results of PK Solutions with other software?
The demo
version of PK Solutions (available from the download page) illustrates
the completed results after performing an analysis on a tri-exponential
plasma curve after oral dose taken from the literature. The input data,
literature results, and literature citation (Gibaldi and Perrier) is
found as Item 2 (Oral 3) on the Test Data worksheet. The results of performing
this analysis (including graphs and all pharmacokinetic parameters) are
displayed on the worksheets exactly as obtained. You can use this data
set to compare the results obtained by PK Solutions with other software.
What
is Summit's privacy policy?
Your information
is secure. We will never release your e-mail or postal address (or any
personal information) to any other company or agency.
How
should I cite the use of PK Solutions in publications?
The citation
will typically be referenced in the Experimental section. State the full
name of the software and version, our location and web site. For example, "Pharmacokinetic
results were obtained using PK Solutions 2.0 ( Summit Research Services,
Montrose, CO 81401; www.SummitPK.com)." Including the web site address
is particularly important to enable the reader to find the software.
I
get a macro warning message when opening a workbook? What should I do?
Depending
on your security level setting in Excel, you may see a macro warning
dialog box when you open a workbook that contains macros. Macros contain
the code that operates PK Solutions and other Summit Research software.
Our software is guaranteed virus free and safe, but macros from unknown
sources may contain viruses that can corrupt workbooks or Excel itself.
For Summit software, choose Enable Macros and proceed to open the workbook.
We recommend that you depend on an anti-virus application as your primary
safeguard against viruses in any form, rather than on the limited Excel
macro warning. If you have anti-virus software installed, then you can
change your security setting to disable macro warning messages. To do
so, choose Tools > Macro > Security to open the Security box. Select
Low on the Security Level tab.
I
get a format warning message when I open PK Solutions with Excel XP.
PK Solutions
is now shipped in two editions. One runs in Excel 95 through 2000, the
other in Excel XP and above. These are identical and both editions are
included with your program software. If you have the earlier edition
of PK Solutions and run it in Excel XP, you will get the following error
message when the workbook opens: "Excel encountered an error and
had to remove some formatting to avoid corrupting the notebook. Please
re-check your formatting carefully." You can safely click OK and
use PK Solutions, but this will become annoying. There are two ways to
update your edition of PK Solutions to avoid the error dialog. One, contact
us with your registration number and we will send you the PK Solutions
edition for use with Excel XP and above. Alternately, you can convert
your current edition of PK Solutions to the XP and above edition. To
do this, follow these steps: (1) Click the PK Solutions template to start
a new workbook in Excel XP or above. (2) Click through the error messages
to dismiss them. Do not alter the workbook. Remain on the opening page
and select Save As from the File menu. (3) In the 'Save as type', select
Template (*.xlt). (4) Enter the file name as "PKSOLNXP.xlt", and navigate
to where you want to save the file and click Save. This procedure simply
converts your PK Solutions from the earlier edition template to the XP
and above template.
What
support can I get to help me use PK Solutions?
We are pleased
to answer any questions you may have about the operation of PK Solutions
and interpreting your results. You can send us your data set and we will
run it and return to you our best analysis. This often gives you just
the boost you need to continue with unusual issues. We encourage you
to purchase the optional One Year Free Upgrades and Support Plan if you
anticipate needing more than occasional support or consultation.
Viewing
the default new PK Solutions workbook contents.
PK Solutions
is provided as an Excel template file. A new copy of the program opens
each time you click on the template. The default new workbook shows the
completed analysis of a data set obtained by running the second data
set (ORAL 3) found on the Test Data sheet. PK Solutions uses VBA code
in combination with dynamically linked formulas to calculate and display
results. This allows for instant updating of all relevant data throughout
the workbook. The default display of a completed analysis serves as a
placeholder for the results that are generated in your run.
Select "Oral" as
the Dose Route for subcutaneous or other extravascular routes.
In PK Solutions, "oral" is
simply a shortcut for "extravascular." Thus, for sc, ip, intra-nasal
or any other non-intravenous route of administration, select "Oral" for
the Dose Route option. What this actually does is change the sign of
the final extracted exponential term to reflect the positive slope of
the absorption phase. In sum,the "Intravenous" option means
parenteral administration in general and the "Oral" option
means extravascular administration in general. Thus, PK Solution can
handle iv, oral, intra-muscular, ip, subcutaneous, dermal, post-infusion
decline, controlled release, or most any other administration route.
How
to use units other than those listed on the Data Setup sheet.
If you want
to use units other than those available in the drop-down list, type the
new unit in the cell directly below any drop-down box (on the line with
the red indicator). The new unit will then appear on the drop-down list
for you to select. For more about the Data Setup sheet components, see
the PK Solutions User Guide, page 10.
Obtaining
pharmacokinetic results with endogenous substances.
If you need
to determine the pharmacokinetics of an endogenous substance already
present in your sample, first determine the baseline or basal concentration
of the material and then subtract this concentration for all your sample
collection time points. Use these "corrected" concentration values as
the New Data input on the Data Setup sheet.
Explanation
of the default curve stripping modules on the Data Analysis sheet.
When you
complete the Data Setup sheet, clicking the New Data Set button will
take you to the Data Analysis sheet. This sheet contains graphs of your
data and three modules for extracting the exponential terms that make
up the concentration curve. The default configuration for the curve stripping
modules is to show a linear regression line drawn through the last two
time points. Proceed by selecting T1 and T2 for the first module (Elimination)
and click Plot. Repeat this in the remaining modules until no residual
data remains. Finally, make the appropriate selection and then click
on the Exponential Terms button. The program will acknowledge your selection
and immediately update all results and graphs on the remaining worksheets.
Determining
infusion and post-infusion non-compartmental parameters.
You can
determine the AUC for any portion of a plasma curve following infusion.
To do this, enter your infusion data on the Data Setup sheet, and select
the "oral" as the dose mode. Then, on the Data Analysis page,
use the first curve stripping module to obtain the elimination rate and
half-life. Select "1 Term: E" and click the Define Terms button.
PK Solutions will compute and display all non-compartmental parameters
based on curve area measurements (e.g., AUC, AUMC, MRT, etc.).
Determining
post-infusion pharmacokinetics.
PK Solutions
can graph and tabulate all the pharmacokinetic parameters associated
with the post-infusion decay curve following IV infusion. To do this,
note the time when infusion was stopped. Subtract this time value from
all subsequent collection time points. On the Data Setup sheet, enter
zero for the initial time and concentration. Then enter the remaining
post-infusion concentrations and their corrected time values. Select
the IV dose route option and proceed to run the Data Analysis as an intravenous
dose.
Exporting PK Solutions graphs and results as GIF, JPEG files or other file types.
You can save any graph, range of cells or even a
whole spreadsheet from PK Solutions in a variety of file types.
This can be very useful when you want to include results
in a presentation or report, or send them to a someone else. One option is to download a copy of
the free "Exporter" Excel add-in described on our Free Tools sheet. Within Microsoft Office applications such as Word and PowerPoint, simply select the range of cells or graph of interest from PK Solutions and copy and paste it into the desired program.
