Pharmacokinetics

What the body does to a drug — absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion.

Pharmacokinetics describes the journey a drug takes through the body: how much of it is absorbed, where it travels once it reaches the bloodstream, how the body chemically alters it, and how it is finally removed. It is the counterpart to pharmacodynamics, which describes what the drug does to the body. Pharmacokinetics is what explains why one medication works within twenty minutes and another takes two hours, and why kidney or liver impairment can change a dose that would otherwise be routine.

The information on this website is provided for reference and educational purposes only. It does not replace consultation with a qualified healthcare professional.