Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism and Elimination (ADME)
Drug Absorption Dependant on route, MW (size), solubility, availability of carrier molecules, etc. Wide variation in rate among different genetic backgrounds, and specific cases (ex.- percutaneous absorption through abraded skin). Greatly affects how quickly a drug elicits its biological response.
Routes of Absorption Most common routes include: Topical (influenced by blood flow, dermal thickness, lipid solubility) Oral (dependant on pH, solubility, formulation, stability) Rectal (wide variation in absorption, but useful in comatose patients, or if drug is easily destroyed by GI pH or digestive enzymes) Pulmonary (rapid absorption of many compounds, also for local treatment)
Routes of Absorption Parenteral Subcutaneous (under dermis, nonirritating drugs only, slow absorption) Intramuscular (into muscle, nonirritating only, faster absorption, depot injections) Intravenous (into vein, irritating drugs OK if given slowly, instant absorption) Intra-arterial (into artery, good for local therapy) Intrathecal (into CSF, bypassing BBB)
GI Absorption Curve
Absorption vs. Route
Membrane Permeability to Drugs
Membrane Permeability Based on Water Solubility
Permeability vs. Lipid Solubility
Absorption vs. Lipid Solubility
Intestinal Permeability Barrier
Diffusion vs. Partition Coefficient
pH vs. Absorption
Absorption via Endocytosis
Absorption via Gap Junctions
Tight Junctions
Capillary Permeability
Fenestrated Capillaries
CSF/Plasma Equilibrium
Lung Permeability
Tissue Permeability Summary
Distribution Phase following absorption. Describes how a drug gets to it’s target tissue for action. Influenced by solubility, body water, protein binding, tissue binding, specific carriers.
Distribution Total body water (easily accessible) Intracellular ~ 40% Extracellular ~ 20% Interstitial ~ 15% Vascular ~ 5% Remainder in body fluids, bone, tendons, etc.
Disposition Pathways
Apparent Volume of Distribution
Protein Binding vs. Disposition
ADME Following IV Dosing
IV Bolus Distribution
Perfusion Rate vs. Distribution
Redistribution of Halothane
Metabolism and Elimination How a drug gets removed (or changed) from body. Most drugs metabolized to some degree. Prodrugs utilize metabolism to form active compounds. Two primary types of metabolism Phase 1 (breakdown) Phase 2 (synthetic)
Metabolism and Elimination Metabolic Locations: Liver Lungs Skin Kidney Blood Most all other tissues to a small degree
Drug Disappearance Curve
Biotransformation Reactions
Metabolic Enzymes
Phenytoin Metabolism
Cytochrome P-450 (CYP)
Cytochrome P-450 (CYP) Reactions
Reduction Reaction
Phase 2 Glucuronidation
Phase 2 Glutathione Conjugation
Phase 2 Sulfate Conjugation
Miscellaneous Phase 2 Reactions
Nonmicrosomal Hydrolysis