What does the drug cycle consist of?

The drug cycle, also known as the pharmacokinetic process, primarily consists of four essential phases: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination.

Absorption refers to how a drug enters the bloodstream from the site of administration, whether it's orally, intravenously, or through other routes. After absorption, distribution involves how the drug is transported throughout the body to its site of action, affecting various organs and tissues.

Following distribution, metabolism takes place, which is the chemical alteration of the drug by the body, predominantly occurring in the liver. This process transforms the drug into a form that may be more active, inactive, or easier for the body to eliminate. Finally, elimination refers to the process by which the drug and its metabolites are expelled from the body, typically through urine or feces.

This understanding of the drug cycle is crucial for medication administration as it affects the efficacy and safety of drug therapies.