How Medications Get Absorbed By Your Body

Nucleus Medical Media2 minutes read

Oral drugs are primarily absorbed in the small intestine, traveling to the liver before entering circulation, while injections bypass GI absorption. Bioavailability of a drug varies based on administration route and formulation, with factors like dissolution rate, surface area for absorption, and blood flow influencing absorption speed and extent in the body.

Insights

  • The small intestine is the primary site of absorption for oral drugs, with the liver being a crucial checkpoint where drugs undergo the first pass effect before reaching target organs.
  • Bioavailability, determined by factors like dissolution rate, blood flow, and lipid solubility, varies depending on drug formulation and administration route, impacting the speed and extent of drug absorption in the body.

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Recent questions

  • How do oral drugs get absorbed?

    Through the stomach or small intestine.

  • What is bioavailability in drug absorption?

    Amount of drug absorbed into the bloodstream.

  • What influences drug absorption in the body?

    Dissolution rate, surface area, blood flow, solubility, pH.

  • How do intravenous injections differ in drug absorption?

    Bypass gastrointestinal absorption.

  • What is the first pass effect in drug absorption?

    Metabolism in the liver before general circulation.

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Summary

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Drug Absorption: Routes and Factors Explained

  • Oral drugs are absorbed through the stomach or small intestine, with the latter being the primary site of absorption. After passing through the intestinal wall, drugs travel to the liver via the portal venous system, where they undergo the first pass effect before reaching general circulation and target organs. Intravenous injections bypass GI absorption, while intramuscular or subcutaneous injections allow drugs to enter muscle or subcutaneous tissue before reaching circulation or target organs, also avoiding GI absorption.
  • Bioavailability, the amount of a drug dose absorbed into the bloodstream, varies based on administration route and drug formulation. Factors affecting drug absorption include dissolution rate, surface area for absorption, blood flow, lipid solubility, and pH partitioning, all influencing the speed and extent of drug absorption in the body.
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