ADME: the drug's journey through the body
The overview map of pharmacokinetics: four processes that decide how much drug reaches the brain, when, and for how long.
Where this fitsConnects to 1 · Unlocks 4
- Connects to
- The two journeys: pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics — This is journey 1 — what the body does to the drug.
- Unlocks
- Absorption and routes of administration — Zoom into A: absorption and routes.
- Distribution: membranes, protein binding and barriers — Zoom into D: distribution and barriers.
- Metabolism and excretion: the liver and kidneys — Zoom into M: metabolism.
- Half-life and redistribution — All four together set half-life and duration.
Orient
Pharmacokinetics has four processes (ADME). Absorption – movement of drug from administration site into the bloodstream. Distribution – movement of drug through blood to rest of body (especially the brain). Metabolism – breakdown of drug by enzymes to prepare for elimination. Elimination – removal of drug itself or metabolic waste products from the body.
Course terms
Your professor's wording, word for word from the slides. Learn the term and this definition — the explanation underneath is only there to help it make sense.
- Absorption
“Movement of drug from administration site into the bloodstream”Slides 04, p. 3
The A of ADME.
- Bioavailability
“Bioavailability: % of original dose taken that is successfully absorbed into bloodstream”Slides 04, p. 3
IV drugs have 100% bioavailability by this definition.
- Distribution
“Movement of drug through blood to rest of body”Slides 04, p. 3
Including how well (and if) the drug crosses the blood-brain barrier.
- Metabolism
“Breakdown of drug by enzymes to prepare for elimination”Slides 04, p. 3
Some drugs are excreted intact.
- Elimination
“Removal of drug itself or metabolic waste products from the body”Slides 04, p. 3
Excretion.
From your course: Course slides 04, pp. 2–4
Tip: the ← and → keys move through the lesson.
Full lesson: Pharmacokinetics and ADME