CGIER 19 - Drug Metabolism

Question 1

What is metabolism?

Answer 1

Metabolism is the process in which drugs (pro-drugs) in the body undergo transformations catalyzed by enzymes. The products of these transformations are called metabolites. Metabolism converts drugs from an insoluble form to a soluble.

Question 2

What are the four purposes of drug metabolism?

Answer 2

1. Drugs can be converted to a form which is excretable.
2. Drugs action can be terminated.
3. Drugs can be converted to a metabolite which has a pharmacological activity of its own.
4. An inactive compound (pro-drug) can be converted to an active metabolite.

Question 3

What is the principal organ for metabolism?

Answer 3

The liver contains efficient enzymes for metabolism of foreign materials.

Question 4

Explain Metabolism Phase I

Answer 4

Transformation of a drug into a polar metabolite by introducing a functional group

Question 5

Explain Metabolism Phase II

Answer 5

Involves the combination of a glucuronic acid, sulfate, acetic acid, or amino acid with a functional group to form a polar conjugate that can be readily excreted.