What does the acronym ADME stand for in pharmacology?

The correct answer is based on the core principles of pharmacokinetics, which studies how the body affects a drug after administration. ADME specifically refers to the four fundamental processes that a drug undergoes:

• Absorption: This is the process by which a drug enters the bloodstream from the site of administration. It includes factors that affect how quickly and how much of the drug becomes available in systemic circulation.

• Distribution: Once a drug is absorbed, it is distributed throughout the body. This process involves the transport of the drug through the bloodstream to various tissues and organs, influenced by factors like blood flow and the drug's chemical properties.

• Metabolism: This is the biochemical modification of the drug, primarily occurring in the liver. The purpose of metabolism is to convert lipophilic chemical compounds into more water-soluble compounds that can be easily excreted from the body.

• Excretion: Finally, this process refers to the elimination of the drug and its metabolites from the body, mainly through the kidneys in urine or through bile into the feces.

Understanding ADME is essential in pharmacology for predicting how drugs interact with the body, including their efficacy and safety profiles.