When the human body begins to metabolize a medication, different organs process the ingredients before they are finally released in the bloodstream. While the process may sound straightforward, different drugs dissolve at different rates, different formulas, and dosages breakdown differently – and, everybody’s body metabolizes medication uniquely. These are just a few of the many complexities behind the nature of drug absorption and metabolism.
How does medication enter the bloodstream?
The vast majority of medications are taken orallyand are broken down within the gastrointestinal tract. Once the medication arrives, it is broken down by stomach acids before it passes through the liver and then enters the bloodstream. Certain medications may stay in the bloodstream longer – it all depends on the dosage and drug family consumed.
What factors influence medication absorption?
There are several factors at play when determining the overall time required for medication to fully digest. The following factors all impact an individual’s sensitivity to and absorption of medication:
- Age
- Weight
- Gender
- Time of day taken
- Level of physical activity
- Level of stress
- Content of stomach and PH level
- Presence of other medications
Gastric acids may prevent or slow the breakdown of certain medications. Additionally, when a medication is metabolized in the liver, its potency will decrease along with its effectiveness before the therapeutic reaches the bloodstream.
According to Merck, in order “to be absorbed, a drug is given orally must survive encounters with low pH and numerous GI secretions, including potentially degrading enzymes.” This research exemplifies the reasoning behind doctor’s common orders to take a medication with a full stomach. There is science behind the reason why it’s advisable to follow his or her orders.
How long does it take for the body to absorb medication?
The method of drug consumption affects the rate at which the medicine travels throughout the bloodstream. The solubility of the medication also affects how long it will take for the medication to dissolve. In general, it typically takes approximately 30 minutes for most medications to dissolve.
When a medication is coated in a special coating – which may help protect the drug from stomach acids – often times it may take longer for the therapeutic to reach the bloodstream. For example, aspirin may dissolve in a matter of minutes, while gelcaps may take much longer, due to their gel coating. These pills may also be easier to swallow, so it is important to weigh the pros and cons of different medications.
How is medication administered?
- A tablet, capsule or syrup taken orally
- Tablets or pills dissolved sub-lingual
- Medication Inhaled or droplets administered to eyes, ears, nose or throat
- Injection via IV or intravenously in a vein
- Rectal administration
- As a patch or gel applied to the skin
- Controlled-release
Certain medication forms are associated with more potent medications. For example, intravenous medications may be more potent than the capsule. A sublingual tablet typically moves more quickly through the circulatory system and is thus rapidly metabolized. The same is true of rectal medications, where a significant number of blood vessels are present.
FAQs
Most drugs must pass through the liver, which is the primary site for drug metabolism. Once in the liver, enzymes convert prodrugs to active metabolites or convert active drugs to inactive forms. The liver's primary mechanism for metabolizing drugs is via a specific group of cytochrome P-450 enzymes.
What helps metabolize medication? ›
Drug metabolism is carried out with the help of specific enzymes, such as monooxygenases and cytochrome P 450 (CYP). Several CYP isoenzymes have a varied affinity toward different drugs.
How does the body digest medication? ›
How does medication enter the bloodstream? The vast majority of medications are taken orally and are broken down within the gastrointestinal tract. Once the medication arrives, it is broken down by stomach acids before it passes through the liver and then enters the bloodstream.
Where metabolism occurs when the body processes the medication? ›
Drug metabolism is the term used to describe the biotransformation of pharmaceutical substances in the body so that they can be eliminated more easily. The majority of metabolic processes that involve drugs occur in the liver, as the enzymes that facilitate the reactions are concentrated there.
How does the body metabolize? ›
Metabolism: Converting food into energy. Metabolism is the process by which the body changes food and drink into energy. During this process, calories in food and drinks mix with oxygen to make the energy the body needs. Even at rest, a body needs energy for all it does.
Why does my body metabolize medication so fast? ›
A few specific patient factors can affect how quickly or slowly a drug is metabolized, including genetic predisposition, chronic liver disorders, advanced heart failure, and interactions with concurrent medications.
Does drinking water help metabolize drugs? ›
Don't expect drinking a large amount of water at one time to be an effective way to remove drugs from your system. Staying hydrated requires frequency, not just volume. In addition to water, herbal teas and juice may help your body flush out toxins.
What does it mean to be a poor metabolizer of a drug? ›
A poor metabolizer (PM) is a person who lacks a fully-functional enzyme or has reduced expression of the enzyme and therefore exhibits decreased metabolism of drugs. This person would require lower doses of a drug that is metabolized by that enzyme.
What is the main organ for drug metabolism? ›
Although many sites of metabolism and excretion exist, the chief organ of metabolism is the liver, while the organ primarily tasked with excretion is the kidney. Any significant dysfunction in either organ can result in the accumulation of the drug or its metabolites in toxic concentrations.
How long does it take to fully digest medication? ›
After oral administration of a drug, absorption into the bloodstream occurs in the stomach and intestine, which usually takes about one to six hours.
Drug metabolism differs between people. It can be related to body composition, age, sex, biological, and genetic contributors. In general, drugs take between a few hours and a few days to completely leave the body and be undetectable on a drug test.
How does the body breakdown medication? ›
After a drug has been absorbed and distributed throughout the body, it is broken down by a process known as metabolism so that it can be excreted from the body. Drugs undergo chemical alteration by various body systems to create compounds that are more easily excreted.
How are medications metabolized in the body? ›
Most drugs must pass through the liver, which is the primary site for drug metabolism. Once in the liver, enzymes convert prodrugs to active metabolites or convert active drugs to inactive forms. The liver's primary mechanism for metabolizing drugs is via a specific group of cytochrome P-450 enzymes.
What happens if a drug is not metabolized? ›
Consequences of altered drug metabolism include compromised medication efficacy or increased medication adverse effects. Corrective measures include appropriate dose adjustments or the use of medications that are not metabolized or are minimally metabolized by the CYP enzymes in the liver.
Why take medicine 30 minutes after eating? ›
But in most cases, it's best to take your medication within 30 minutes of a full meal to help with absorption. However, if you're trying to avoid irritating or upsetting your stomach, a smaller snack or glass of milk or juice may be enough.
What happens if you throw up 30 minutes after taking medicine? ›
In general, it's recommended to retake a medication if vomiting occurs within 15 to 30 minutes after taking the original dose. But there are exceptions. Some medications may not need to be taken again after throwing up. These include sublingual tablets, buccal tablets, and orally disintegrating tablets.
What are the three phases of drug metabolism? ›
The metabolism of drugs can occur in various reactions, categorized as phase I (modification), phase II (conjugation), and in some instances, phase III (additional modification and excretion). Phase III metabolism may also follow phase II metabolism, in which conjugates and metabolites are excreted from the cells.
How are drugs metabolized and excreted? ›
Extrahepatic drug metabolism takes place in the GI tract, kidneys, lungs, plasma, and skin. Renal excretion completes the process of elimination that begins in the liver. Polar drugs or their metabolites get filtered in the kidneys and typically do not undergo reabsorption.
What happens to a drug during metabolism? ›
Metabolism has two important effects. First, it normally inactivates the drug preventing further pharmacological activity (unless there are active metabolites). Second, because most drugs are lipid-soluble, biotransformation to more water-soluble products is necessary before they can be excreted in bile and/or urine.
