PHARMACOKINETIC, ABSORPTION AND

IONISATION OF DRUGS

Prof Dr Sibel Süzen

DRUG
ACTIVITY
 Drug Activity

1- Pharmaceutical Phase: Drug Administration

There are four major routes of drug administration which are,

Pulmonary or Parenteral
Topical route Enteral route
inhalation route route

■ Topical route
– Dermal – cream, ointment (local action)
– Transdermal- absorption of drug through skin (i.e systemic action)

■ Pulmonary or inhalation route

– Vaporization – drug is changed from a liquid or solid to a gas or vapor by the use of heat (e.g. steam inhalation)
– Gas inhalation – restricted to anesthesia
– Inhalation – drug is converted into a fine spray by the use of composed gas

■ Enteral route
– Oral route
– Sub-lingual route (allows a drug to diffuse into the capillary network and therefore, to enter the systemic circulation directly)
– Rectal and vaginal
■ Parenteral route
– Intra muscular (into the skeletal muscle) – injected to buttock, thighs and deltoid
– Intra venous (into a vein) – injected as bolus or infused slowly over hours into cubital, basilic and cephalic veins
– Intra arterial (into an artery) – effect of a drug can be localized in a particular organ or tissue by choosing the appropriate artery
– Subcutaneous route (Hypodermic) – Injected under skin, e.g. Insulin
– Intra cardiac – injected directly into the heart muscles
– Intra thecal – injected into the spinal canal
– Intra pleural – injected within the pleura or the pleural cavity.
– Intraosseous- injected into bone marrow
– Intraperitoneal – injected into the peritoneum
– Intra-articular – injected into the joint activity
– Intradermal (Intracutaneous) – within skin layers (dermis)

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https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/treatment/spinal-injections
https://www.dreamstime.com/types-injections-white-background-
types-injections-white-background-illustration-image119259218
 Drug Activity:
2- Pharmacokinetic Phase

■ Pharmacokinetics is the study of drug disposition in the

body.
■ What the body does to the drug?
■ It describes, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the
pharmacokinetic processes of absorption, distribution,
metabolism, and excretion and their relationship to the
pharmacological, therapeutic or toxic response in animals
and man.
 What is ADME?
■ ADME is the abbreviation for
– Absorption
– Distribution,
– Metabolism
– Excretion

https://www.slideshare.net/rahul44201/biotransformation-l-copy
 ADME:
Absorption
■ Absorption describes how a chemical enters the body. There are 4 ways through which a chemical can cross a
Absorption relates to the movement of a chemical from membrane and enter the bloodstream.
the administration site to the bloodstream.
Passive diffusion: When a molecule moves from an area of high
■ Only injected compounds enter directly into the systemic concentration to an area of low concentration. This is the most
circulation. common way a drug is absorbed.

Facilitated diffusion: When a molecule moves from an area of

high concentration to one of low concentration with the help of
carrier proteins in the membrane.

Active diffusion: An energy-dependent process during which a

molecule requires energy in the form of ATP to cross a
membrane.

Endocytosis: Cells take in substances from outside of the cell by

engulfing them in a vesicle.
FACTORS AFFECTING DRUG ABSORPTION

B. Pharmaceutical factors
1) Disintegration time (tablets/capsules)
2) Dissolution time
A. Physicochemical factors 3) Manufacturing variables
1) Drug solubility & dissolution rate 4) Pharmaceutical ingredients (excipients/adjuvants)
5) Nature & type of dosage form
2) Particle size & effective surface area 6) Product age & storage condition
3) Polymorphism & amorphism
4) Pseudoploymorphism (hydrates/solvates) C. Patient related factors
1) Route of administration
5) Salt form of the drug
2) Membrane physiology
6) Lipophilicity of the drug pH- Partition a) Nature of cell membrane
b) Transport processes
7) pKa of drug & gastrointestinal pH hypothesis
3) Age
8) Drug stability 4) Gastric emptying time
5) Intestinal transit time
6) Gastrointestinal pH
7) Disease states
8) Blood flow through the GIT
9) Gastrointestinal contents and presystemic
metabolism by enzymes
 ADME:
Distribution
■ Distribution is the process by which the drug reversibly leaves the site of administration and is
distributed through out the tissues of the body.

■ Volume of distribution= Amount of drug in the body

Conc. in plasma

https://www.slideshare.net/UmasankarKrishnamaraju/drug-distribution-40685564
■ MECHANISM OF PROTEIN DRUG BINDING:
Binding of drugs to protein is generally reversible which is suggests that it generally involves weak chemical bonds
such as:
Hydrogen bonds, Hydrophobic bonds, Ionic bonds, Vander wall’s forces

Binding of drugs falls into 2 classes:

1. Binding of drug to blood components
Plasma proteins
Blood cells
2. Binding of drugs to extra vascular tissue protein, fats, bones, etc.

■ BINDING OF DRUGS TO BLOOD COMPONENTS

The main interaction of drug in the blood compartment is with the plasma protein which are present in abundant
amounts and in large variety.
The binding of drugs to plasma proteins is reversible.
The extent or order of binding of drugs to various plasma protein is:
Albumin > α 1- Acid Glycoprotein > Lipoprotein > Globulins.
■ HUMAN SERUM ALBUMIN :
- The therapeutic doses of most drugs are relatively much smaller and their plasma concentration
do not normally reach equimolar concentration with HSA. Four different sites on HSA have been
identified for drug-binding.

- BINDING OF DRUGS TO GLOBULINS :-

- Several plasma globulins have been identified and are labelled as α 1-, α 2-, β 1-, β 2 and γ -
globulins.
- α 1-globulin: also called as transcortin or CBG, it binds a number of steroidal drugs such as
cortisone and prednisone. It also binds to thyroxin and cyanocobalamine
- α 2-globulin: also called as ceruloplasmin, it binds vitamins A, D, E and K cupric ions
- β 1-globulin: also called as transferring, it binds to ferrous ions.
- β 2-globulin: binds to corticosteroids
- γ - globulin: binds specifically to antigens
 Distribution
■ The body is a container in which a drug is distributed by blood (different flow to different
organs) - but the body is not homogeneous.

a- Plasma Compartment
If a drug has a very large molecular weight or binds extensively to
plasma proteins, it is too large to move out through the endothelial slit
junctions of the capillaries and, thus, is effectively trapped within the
plasma (vascular) compartment (6%)
b- Extracellular Fluid
(Plasma + Interstitial Fluid)If a drug has a low molecular weight but is
hydrophilic, it can move through the endothelial slit junctions of the
capillaries into the interstitial fluid. However, it cannot move across
the lipid membranes of cells to enter the water phase inside the cell
(6%-20%)
c- Total Body water
(Extra cellular + Intracellular)If a drug has a low molecular weight and
is hydrophobic, not only can it move into the interstitial fluid, but it can
also move through the cell membranes into the intracellular fluid
(6% - 20% - 44%)
 Factors Related to the Drug:
1. Lipid Solubility
– Greater the lipid solubility, more is the distribution.
2. Molecular size
– Larger the size, less is the distribution. Smaller sized drugs are more extensively distributed.
3. Degree of Ionization
– Drugs exist as weak acids or weak bases when being distributed. Drugs are trapped when present in
the ionized form, depending upon the pH of the medium. This fact can be used to make
the drug concentrated in specific compartments.
4. Cellular binding
– Drugs may exist in free or bound form. Bound form of drugs exists as reservoirs. The free and bound
forms co-exist in equilibrium. Cellular binding depends on the plasma binding proteins.
Tissue binding:
– Different drugs have different affinity for different cells. All cells do not bind the same drugs.
5. Duration of Action
– The duration of action of drugs is prolonged by the presence of bound form while the free
form is released. This leads to a longer half life and duration of action of drugs.
6. Therapeutic Effects:
– Bisphosphonate compounds bind with the bone matrix cells and strengthen them. They are
used in the treatment of osteoporosis.
7. Toxic Effects:
– Tetracycline can bind the bone material. It may also get bound to the enamel of the teeth.
 Factors Related to the Body:
1. Vascularity
– Most of the blood passes through the highly profused organs (75%) while the remaining (25%) passes through the
less profused areas. Therefore, most of the drugs go first to the highly profused areas. They may get bound to these
organs. They are then redistributed to the less profused areas like the skin and the skeletal muscles. This
phenomenon is common among the lipid soluble drugs.
– Example includes thiopentone sodium which is used as general anesthetic. When given, it goes to the brain
producing its effects. It is then redistributed to the less profused organs. Because of high lipid solubility, it is
accumulated in the fatty tissue for longer duration. Thus the clearance of the drugs is slow, producing prolonged
period of drowsiness (up to 24 hours).
2. Transport Mechanism
– Different drugs are taken up by different compartments of the body differently. Lipid soluble drug move by passive
transport which is non specific. Active transport occurs only where carrier proteins are present.
3. Blood Barriers
– Different blood barriers exist. Blood brain barrier is present because of the delicacy of nervous tissue to avoid
chemical insult to the brain.
– Structure: Endothelial cells and pericytes and glial cells form the barrier through which drugs cannot pass easily.
Only selective passage takes place.
– Transporters: Certain efflux pumps or transporters exist through which drugs can be effluxed as well. Example
includes p-glycoprotein.
– Disruption:Disruption of barrier may occur, e.g. by inflamed meningitis. Drugs may pass which might be toxic as well
as beneficial i.e. during meningitis penicillin can pass which has beneficial effects.
4. Placental Barriers
– Trophoblastic tissue separates maternal blood from fetal blood. Different transporters are present. Efflux
transporters cause efflux back of the drugs from the fetus to the mother.
5. Plasma Binding Proteins
 ■ Therapeutic Index
– Therapeutic index is the safety margin, the range in which the drug is safe. If drug has a large
therapeutic index, then large concentrations of the drug are safe. If it has a small therapeutic index, it
may move out of the safe range and cause toxic effects. Thus the drug displacement phenomenon is
significant in low therapeutic index drugs.
■ Pro-Drug
– Produgs are derivatives of therapeutic agents designed to improve the pharmacokinetics profile of the
drug. Within a prodrug, pharmacological activity of the drug is masked and is recovered within the
human body upon bioconversion of the prodrug, a process that is typically mediated by enzymes.

PHARMACOLOGICALREVIEWS, Vol. 63, No. 3:750–771, 2011 (15) (PDF) Prodrugs--from Serendipity to Rational Design. Available from: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51475317_Prodrugs--from_Serendipity_to_Rational_Design
[accessed Mar 08 2021].
 Pro-Drugs

PHARMACOLOGICALREVIEWS, Vol. 63, No. 3:750–771, 2011 (15) (PDF) Prodrugs--from Serendipity to Rational Design. Available from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/51475317_Prodrugs--from_Serendipity_to_Rational_Design [accessed Mar 08 2021].
 ADME: Metabolism
■ Metabolism (Biotransformation) Process of converting a drug into product or inert substances after or
before reaching at the site of action.
■ Metabolism is an essential pharmacokinetic process, which render lipid soluble and non polar
compounds to water soluble and polar compounds so that they are excreted by various process from the
body.
■ Biotransformation: It is a specific term used for the chemical transformation of xenobiotics (drugs) in the
living organisms.
■ Xenobiotics: These are all chemical substances that are not nutrient for the body (foreign body) and
which enter the body through ingestion, inhalation or dermal exposure
■ Most organic compounds entering the body are relatively lipid soluble (lipophilic).
■ To be absorbed, they must traverse the lipoprotein membranes of the lumen walls of the gastrointestinal
(GI) tract.
■ Then, once in the bloodstream, these molecules can diffuse passively through other membranes and be
distributed effectively to reach various target organs to exert their pharmacological actions.
■ Because of reabsorption in the renal tubules, lipophilic compounds are not excreted to any substantial
extent in the urine.
 Consequences of biotransformation
■ Active drug Inactive metabolite
■ Active drug Active metabolite
■ Inactive drug (Prodrug) active metabolite

Phases of Metabolism
Phase I
■ Functionalization reactions: Converts the parent drug to a more polar metabolite by introducing or
unmasking a functional group (-OH, -NH2, -SH).
Basically oxidation, hydrolysis, reduction happen in Phase I
Phase II
■ Conjugation reactions: Subsequent reaction in which a covalent linkage is formed between a functional
group on the parent compound or Phase I metabolite and an endogenous substrate such as glucuronic
acid, sulfate, acetate, or an amino acid
Basically conjugation, methylation and acethylation happen in Phase II
 Schematic description of
the two main phases of
drug metabolism. In
general, a parent
compound is converted
into an intermediate
metabolite which is then
conjugated, but
metabolism may involve
only one of these
reactions. Some
metabolites are more
toxic than the parent
compound

Metabolism of Pesticides by Human Cytochrome P450 Enzymes In Vitro? A Survey. 2012, DOI: 10.13140/2.1.3501.5689. In book: Insecticides - Advances in Integrated Pest Management
Khaled M. Abass et al.

Site/Organs of drug metabolism

- The major site of drug metabolism: is the liver (microsomal enzyme systems of hepatocytes)
- Secondary organs of biotransformation: kidney (proximal tubule), lungs, testes (Sertoli cells), skin (epithelial cells);
plasma, nervous tissue (brain); intestines
https://www.slideshare.net/namarta28/xenobiotics?next_slideshow=1 https://www.slideshare.net/namarta28/xenobiotics?next_slideshow=1
 Phase I examples

https://pharmafactz.com/medicinal-chemistry-understanding-drug-metabolism/
https://www.slideshare.net/namarta28/xenobiotics?next_slideshow=1
 ADME: Elimination
Removal of a drug from the body occurs via a number of routes, the most important being through the
kidney into the urine.

Other routes include :

the bile,
intestine,
lung, or
milk in nursing mothers.

First-Pass Effect

The first pass effect (also known as first-pass metabolism) is a phenomenon in which a drug gets metabolized
at a specific location in the body that results in a reduced concentration of the active drug upon reaching its site
of action or the systemic circulation.

The first pass effect is often associated with the liver, as this is a major site of drug metabolism. However, the
first pass effect can also occur in the lungs, vasculature, gastrointestinal tract, and other metabolically
active tissues in the body.

The greater the first pass effect, the lesser the amounts of the drug that reach the systemic circulation.
Drug Absorption Mechanisms

1. Passive Diffusion

2. Carrier mediated Transport

i) Facilitated Diffusion
ii) Active Transport

3. Endocytosis
i) Phagocytosis
ii) Pinocytosis

4. Filtration

https://www.slideshare.net/SalmanRizvi8/drug-transport-across-cell-membrane-113509419
 Absorption, permeability and bioavailability

In the mouth, the pH is neutral (or close to neutral).

In the stomach, the pH is acidic at arround 2.
In the small intestine, pH is basic at arround 8.
Finally, it reaches 7 as it reaches the end (anus).

The effect of ionisation state on rates of absorption of drugs from

the small intestine is important.

Acids with pKa values below 3 and bases with pKa values above
8 are poorly absorbed in small intestine.

The transport of molecules across membranes is more rapid for

the uncharged species.
Due to the nature of membranes and their lipophilic character,
the generalisations of non-ionised states and permeability are
fully understandable.

Neutral molecules are more readily able to traverse non-polar

lipidic membrane environments, unlike charged compounds,
where this process is energetically disfavoured.

Acid/base character and pKa values are important determinants

for absorption and permeation, however other factors need to
be taken into account such as: lipophilicity, size, metabolic
lability, efflux mechanisms and hydrophilicity.
In general, drugs need a suitable degree of lipophilicity to:
(a) reach the site of action, commencing with absorption
from the GI tract, and
(b) interact with the appropriate receptor.

Hence, aqueous solubility is often compromised to some

extent by the desired lipophilicity. The acid/base character of
a drug plays an important role in determining the solubility,
but this is often extensively modulated by the pH of a
solution formulation causing variable polarity in aqueous
solution.
 Solubility

■ “Solubility” is defined as the amount of a

given substance that can be dissolved in a
certain amount of solvent.
■ Salts are ionic compounds. Recall that ionic
compounds are composed of a metal and a
nonmetal. Metals form cations, and
nonmetals form anions.
■ “Salt” is another name for an ionic
compound. Salts can be soluble, sparingly
soluble, and insoluble, depending on the
identity of the cation and anion.