Pharmacokinetics and ADME
Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to a drug: absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion. These processes influence concentration over time.
Open interactive lesson & self-check ↗Pharmacokinetics: ADME
Original conceptual SVG · scalableSchematic sequence. Distribution is bidirectional and metabolism and excretion can occur in parallel.
Absorption and distribution
Absorption moves drug into the systemic circulation. Distribution describes transfer between blood and tissues and depends on binding, perfusion and physicochemical properties.
Metabolism and elimination
Metabolism may create inactive, active or toxic products. Excretion removes parent drug and metabolites, often via kidney or biliary pathways.
Understand the graph
A concentration–time curve illustrates how exposure changes after a dose. Real profiles depend on route, dose, patient physiology, interactions and formulation.
Reference and next reading
Explore the original curriculum and publisher-hosted resources for full-depth reading; this note is an original schematic introduction, not an exhaustive chapter.