farmakokinetikën
Farmakokinetika, meaning "drug movement," describes what the body does to a drug. It encompasses the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME). Absorption is how a drug enters the bloodstream from its administration site. This can occur through various routes like oral, intravenous, or topical. Distribution refers to how the drug spreads throughout the body's tissues and fluids. Factors like blood flow, protein binding, and the drug's lipid solubility influence this process. Metabolism, primarily occurring in the liver, involves the chemical transformation of the drug into metabolites, which can be more or less active than the original compound or readily excretable. Excretion is the elimination of the drug and its metabolites from the body, mainly through the kidneys in urine, but also via feces, sweat, or exhaled air. Understanding these pharmacokinetic principles is crucial for determining appropriate drug dosages, dosing intervals, and routes of administration to achieve therapeutic effects while minimizing adverse reactions. It helps predict how long a drug will remain in the body and at what concentration, ultimately influencing treatment efficacy and safety.