Pharmacokinetics: The Science of Drug Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion"
Pharmacokinetics is the study of how a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body.
Absorption: This is the process of a drug moving from its site of administration into the bloodstream.
Distribution: After absorption, the drug is distributed throughout the body, often binding with proteins in the blood.
Metabolism: This involves the body breaking down the drug into different substances (metabolites), often in the liver.
Excretion: The process of eliminating the drug and its metabolites from the body, primarily through the kidneys.
Bioavailability: The extent and rate at which the active drug ingredient or therapeutic moiety is absorbed and becomes available at the site of drug action.
Half-Life: The time it takes for the concentration of the drug in the body to be reduced by half.
First-Pass Effect: The initial metabolism of some drugs by the liver immediately after absorption from the gastrointestinal tract before reaching systemic circulation.
Drug Clearance: The volume of plasma from which a substance is completely removed per unit time.
Steady State: The condition in which the rate of drug input equals the rate of drug elimination, typically achieved after about five times the half-life of the drug.