Drug Absorption

Drug absorption involves the movement of drug molecules from the site of absorption to systemic circulation and is a prerequisite to observe a pharmacological response to systemic medications. In contrast, it may be an undesired process in the case of topical medications, for which drug absorption should be minimized. The extent and rate of drug absorption have a direct impact on drug bioavailability. Here, we describe the key factors influencing drug absorption, the main mechanisms of drug absorption and the most common models used to describe the absorption kinetics. Examples and case studies are also included.