Thanks to the diligent work of clinical researchers (and, of course, clinical trial participants), we now have crucial knowledge about how the body metabolizes different types of medications—and as a result, access to over 24,000 medications and treatments for countless diseases and ailments.
It seems pretty simple in theory: when you’re sick, you take a medication. And when you take a medication, it works to improve the condition and/or alleviate the symptoms.
But it’s a bit more complex than that. Drugs go through different stages within the body, and the effects of a drug can vary based on several different factors. So how, exactly, does the body metabolize and absorb a medication? Why are some methods of medication administration so much more effective than others?
Keep reading to learn how the body breaks down and absorbs medication, so that it can be processed safely and effectively to carry out its intended therapeutic purpose.
In order for the body to metabolize a drug, it must move it through four different stages: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.
Medications can be administered in a variety of ways: orally, topically, intravenously, and more. Once a drug enters the body, it is absorbed via the administration site and enters the circulatory system.
Distribution refers to the way a medication is dispersed throughout the body, so that it can reach the necessary tissues and organs and provide the desired therapeutic effects.
After a medication is absorbed and spread throughout the body, it goes through a chemical alteration process called medication metabolism. This is when it is broken down and excreted from the body.
When the human body metabolizes a medication, the organs (typically the liver) process the ingredients before they are finally released into the bloodstream. They do this by breaking the drug down into metabolites, the substances that produce the desired effects of the medication.
After the body metabolizes a medication, it is then processed further within the body; the body will also eliminate any waste (typically via urine or feces).
This four-step process, often abbreviated to ADME, is called pharmacokinetics.
The way a medication is administered and metabolized directly impacts the strength and duration of its effects. This also determines the appropriate dosage for an individual.
For example, babies and elderly adults have a more difficult time metabolizing drugs. These individuals may require smaller (but more frequent) dosages of a particular medication when compared to adults and children. This can also be said about those with certain diseases, which may alter the enzymes and thus impact the way some drugs can be metabolized.
These factors—not to mention the fact that every human body has a unique medication absorption rate—are just a few of the many complexities involved in drug absorption and medication metabolism.
Medications can be administered in a variety of ways, including but not limited to:
The method of administration can impact the medication absorption rate and its potency. For example, a sublingual tablet typically moves more quickly through the circulatory system and is thus rapidly metabolized. The same is true of rectal medications, due to the significant number of blood vessels. A capsule taken orally, on the other hand, needs more time to break down within the organs before being released into the bloodstream.
The way that a medication is administered determines the way it enters the bloodstream.
For example, medications that are taken orally are broken down within the gastrointestinal tract. After the medication is swallowed, it is broken down by stomach acids before it passes through the liver and into the bloodstream. IVs, on the other hand, go right into the bloodstream via the veins, which allows them to take immediate effect.
Along with the variations in how long it takes for medications to be absorbed, some may also stay in the bloodstream longer than others. It all depends on the dosage and drug family consumed.
There are several factors at play when determining the overall time required for medication to fully digest. The potency and absorption rate of medication can be influenced by:
Medications that are metabolized in the liver—pills and capsules, for example—tend to decrease in potency by the time they reach the bloodstream. Additionally, those drugs must withstand a variety of gastrointestinal secretions and potentially degrading enzymes.
Thankfully, clinical researchers do their due diligence by taking all of these factors into consideration when designing a drug. And, of course, this exemplifies the reasoning behind doctors’ common orders to take a medication with or without food, and at a certain time of day.
Different drug formulas and dosages dissolve at different rates, largely due to the way they are designed to be taken. Additionally, certain substances (such as other drugs or food) can affect the body’s ability to metabolize medications, either increasing or decreasing the drug’s effects.
The method of administration has a significant impact on the medication absorption rate. While the general guideline is that most medications need 30 minutes to take effect, others can have nearly instant results.
For example, some medications have special coatings that can help protect the drug from stomach acids. However, this may also mean it takes longer to reach the bloodstream. For example, aspirin can dissolve in a matter of minutes, while gel-coated tablets—while easier to swallow—may take much longer to metabolize and take effect.
Each and every medication that you take (or administer to someone else) is the result of the dedicated work of clinical researchers. Drugs go through rigorous rounds of clinical studies before becoming FDA approved, and they are constantly being assessed and improved upon.
Of course, those clinical trials are only possible through the participation of clinical trial volunteers. These individuals play a vital role in ensuring studies are inclusive and representative of the broader population.
At Orlando Clinical Research Center, we perform Phase I–IV trials in our cutting-edge research facilities as part of our commitment to the advancement of science and medicine.
If you’re interested in learning about our current studies, or if you would like to learn more about our facility in general, contact us today.
