Drugs In The Body

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Drugs In The Body

Receptors

Medicine does not do its work until it binds to a TARGET receptor or enzyme.

Receptors at the target organ(s) latch onto the drug molecules.

Small Intestine

PROBLEMS: - Molecule must be small enough to make it through the stomach and/or intestinal lining.

Any remnants of the medicine from the stomach travel to the small intestine where they finish dissolving.

Cells

Biochemical reactions within the cells produce the desired effects.

Cells soak up the medicine and it begins to work.

Enzymes

Side effects can happen when drug molecules bind to receptors or enzymes that are not the target.

Medicine does not do its work until it binds to a TARGET enzyme or receptor.

Enzymes in the liver can destroy some types of molecules which can be a good thing as you are trying to eliminate the drug from your body.

Enzymes in the stomach start to dissolve the medicine.

Circulatory System

All of the organs in the body are supplied with blood and the medication goes along with it.

Surviving molecules are carried to the blood stream for distribution.

Protein

Protein molecules have structure complementary to those of the drug molecule.

PROBLEM: - Protein in the bloodstream can highjack drug molecules, preventing them from reaching their destination.

Liver

PROBLEM: - Liver enzymes may destroy large portions of the molecule.

After the drug is absorbed in the stomach the drug molecules travel to the liver.

Fat

PROBLEM: - Fat in the bloodstream can highjack drug molecules, preventing them from reaching their destination.

Stomach and Stomach Acids

PROBLEMS: - Can be destroyed by stomach acids

This is why insulin is injected or inhaled rather than swallowed as a pill.

As medicine enters the body orally, it travels down to the stomach where it begins to dissolve.

Ways Drugs Can Enter The Body

Transdermal

I.V.

Injection

Inhale

Oral