CC10 – Drug absorption

CC10. Drug absorption is the process by which a drug moves from its site of administration to the systemic circulation.

10.1. Drug absorption involves the movement of drugs across membranes and may include passive diffusion, carrier-mediated transport and active transport.

10.2. The rate and extent of drug absorption depends in part on the drug’s physicochemical properties such as molecular size, hydrophobicity, or hydrophilicity and ionisation, as well as the formulation in which it is administered.

10.3. Different routes of drug administration (e.g., oral, buccal, subcutaneous and intramuscular) produce different rates and extents of absorption, based on the drug’s physicochemical properties and the biological factors affecting absorption such as blood flow, local pH, gastrointestinal motility and diet.