Drug Metabolism

Drug metabolism consists of the sum of the biochemical processes through which medication is transformed by enzymes into substances that can be absorbed in the body system. The course of treatment and its efficiency very much depend on the way the system receives and tolerates the medication. Drugs nevertheless, are created in such a way so as to correspond to the organic processes specific to the body functioning for the digestive tract, the bloodstream and the tissues where the active components have to reach. The very fact that drugs are metabolized similarly leads to the appearance of interactions or reactions when more than one medication is administered.

The liver is the organ that answers for drug metabolism, although the ability to metabolize drugs is specific to any living biological tissue. This liver function is more intense because of the high concentration of enzymes that are secreted at this organ level. When the medical substance gets into the hepatic circuit, the drug metabolism is at its highest. Yet, other body parts play a part in chemical transformations and this happens with the gastrointestinal tract, the kidneys or the skin. The only inconvenience for this form of more extensive metabolism, is in the toxicity reactions and the possible side effects.

Pathological and physiological factors influence drug metabolism, which is why the choice of medication needs to consider them carefully. Thus, the condition of the intestinal flora, sex and age differences, nutrition and other possible diseases influence drug metabolism in more than one way.

Among the pathological factors that could influence drug metabolism, the most common of them include heart, kidney and liver diseases. Therefore, it is of paramount importance that any unknown health condition be reported to the health care provider before the beginning or the choice of a treatment. Moreover, do specify if you take any other medication because there may be interactions as well.

Last but not least, although it may seem unimportant or irrelevant for a patient, some knowledge on drug metabolism could help you understand how medication works on the body system. Moreover, it could help one minimize or prevent some nasty adverse reactions.

Filed Under: Metabolism