It has been drilled into your head ever since you were in elementary school: “Don’t do drugs!” You’ve probably been to more anti-drug lessons then you can even remember, and you already know most of the reasons why you should not do drugs. However, you may not know the scientific aspect of it, which regards drug metabolism.
Drugs must be metabolized because they are xenobiotics, or foreign molecules. In order to be excreted from the body, most drugs need to undergo a structural alteration, which is where drug metabolism comes in. Drugs are metabolized in the liver by enzymes, where they are changed into metabolites. These metabolites are bound to other materials and then excreted from the body.
Drug metabolism is the body’s reaction to the foreign substance that is invading it; however, it is sometimes necessary for the drug to be in the body, especially if it is being used to fight a disease or sickness. Scientists who develop antibiotics often face the problem that the drug metabolism will either act too quickly or not quickly enough when it comes to removing drugs from the system. Thus, the study of drug metabolism serves a practical purpose in today’s world.
Where Do The Drugs Go?
After drug metabolism has occurred, the drugs are excreted through the body. The drugs take different routes when leaving the body; most importantly, the kidney plays a major role in drug excretion. Other ways that drugs can be excreted include: through feces, saliva, sweat, and tears. Drugs can also be excreted from the body through breast milk. This is why women who are nursing are forbidden from using most drugs whilst they are nursing; while the drugs cannot harm them, they can cause a lot of harm to the baby.
How Quick?
The rate of drug metabolism varies from person to person. This is why, for most drugs, there are recommended dosages that vary according to either weight or age. The factors that affect the rate of drug metabolism include: environment, nutrition, genetics, and age.
The rate of drug metabolism can also change due to interactions that can occur with other drugs, foods, or beverages. For example, grapefruit juice is known to reduce the metabolic rate of certain drugs. Other foods and drinks that can affect the metabolism of drugs include: beer, wine, aged cheese, dried fruits, smoked meats, milk, cream, and dairy.
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