Drug absorption is the pharmacokinetic process by which an administered drug moves from its site of administration, such as the gastrointestinal tract or a subcutaneous depot, into the systemic circulation. This phase is a prerequisite for the drug to reach its therapeutic target tissues and exert its intended pharmacological effect. Absorption is a crucial determinant of a drug’s bioavailability, significantly influencing the concentration-time profile in the plasma and, consequently, the clinical dosing regimen. The efficiency of this process dictates therapeutic success.
Origin
This term belongs to the discipline of pharmacokinetics, which systematically studies the movement of drugs within the body, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). The principles of drug absorption have been a core element of pharmaceutical science since the formalization of drug delivery and rational dosing strategies in the mid-20th century.
Mechanism
The drug molecule must typically traverse biological membranes to enter the bloodstream, which can occur via passive diffusion, facilitated transport, active transport, or pinocytosis. Factors such as the drug’s lipid solubility, ionization state (pKa), molecular size, and the surface area of the absorption site all dictate the efficiency of this transfer. For orally administered hormones, the gastrointestinal environment, including pH and the presence of efflux transporters like P-glycoprotein, significantly modulates the absorption process and final systemic concentration.
Exercising a muscle before injection can accelerate testosterone absorption, potentially compromising the stable hormone levels crucial for therapeutic efficacy.
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