Skip to main content

Drug Metabolism

Meaning

Drug metabolism is the biochemical process by which the body chemically modifies pharmaceutical compounds and xenobiotics into forms that are easier to excrete. This essential process, primarily occurring in the liver, involves a series of enzymatic reactions categorized into Phase I (oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis) and Phase II (conjugation) pathways. The efficiency of this metabolic cascade directly determines the drug’s bioavailability, therapeutic efficacy, and potential for toxicity, making it a critical consideration in clinical pharmacology.