What is the Origin of Bioavailability Assessment?

This concept originates in pharmacology and clinical pharmacokinetics, disciplines focused on the movement and action of drugs within the body. The term bioavailability is derived from bio- (life) and availability (readiness for use). In hormonal health, it is essential for comparing different routes of administration, such as oral versus transdermal hormone replacement therapies.

What is the Mechanism of Bioavailability Assessment?

The process involves several physiological barriers, including dissolution in the gastrointestinal tract, passage through the intestinal wall, and the extent of first-pass metabolism in the liver. A substance's chemical structure, formulation, and the route of administration significantly influence its systemic concentration curve over time. A thorough assessment utilizes specific blood or salivary assays to plot concentration-time profiles, yielding metrics like Cmax and Area Under the Curve (AUC) for clinical interpretation.

Bioavailability Assessment

Meaning

Bioavailability Assessment is the clinical determination of the rate and extent to which an administered substance, such as a hormone or nutrient, is absorbed from its site of administration and becomes available at the site of physiological action. This critical pharmacokinetic measurement informs clinical dosing and delivery methods. It precisely quantifies the fraction of the active compound that enters the systemic circulation unchanged.