module 3: clinical scenario metabolism Flashcards
why are drugs coated with enteric coatings?
to prevent them from breaking down while they are in an acidic environment, low surface area, and poor absorption from the stomach
what cells line the small intestines?
enterocytes
what is the purpose of villi and microvilli?
dramatically increase the surface area of the small intestine and aid in the absorption of food
what is the first barrier for a drug that enters your system?
enterocytes
what is the most prominent drug metabolizing enzyme in the enterocytes?
CYP3A4
list the three fractions a single dose of medication follows once swallowed?
- one fraction failed to make it into the enterocytes
- one fraction metabolized by CYP3A4 in the enterocytes
- remaining fraction made it through the enterocytes unscathed
what is the main function of the liver?
metabolize molecules for their removal from the body via kidneys
true or false: drugs can be directly removed in bile
true
true or false: for most drugs, liver metabolism typically activates them and makes them more soluble for their removal
false: inactivates
what comprises the hepatic portal network?
intestinal capillary network and portal vein
true or false: small amounts of the drug that weren’t metabolized in the enterocytes can still be metabolized as they circulate because enzymes like CYP3A4 are everywhere
true
define bioavailability
amount of a drug that’s available to the biological tissues of the body
what is the bioavailability of a drug administered IV and why?
100% because it enters the systemic circulation
what is the bioavailability of a drug administered orally: For example, if 60% of a drug makes it through the enterocytes without being metabolized, but 50% of that is metabolized by CYP3A4 in the liver.
30%
what are first pass effects?
very little reaches the systemic circulation
what is the most common way to bypass first pass effects?
administering drugs IV
how does administering drugs IM minimize first pass effects?
enters the circulation via lymphatic system
how does administering drugs sublingual minimize first pass effects?
enter the systemic system circulation through sublingual vessels
how can drugs be inhaled and enter the systemic circulation?
via pulmonary capillaries that are closely associated with alveoli in the lungs
what is the pathway of drugs once it reaches the systemic circulation?
vena cava -> heart -> aorta -> liver via hepatic artery
what is the portal triad?
how drugs enter the liver through the portal vein and hepatic artery in a bundle with the bile duct region
what is the functional unit of the liver?
liver acinus
where does metabolism of hydrophilic drugs occur?
cytosol
where do hydrophobic drugs metabolize?
smooth ER
what are phase I drug metabolizing enzymes?
enzymes that oxidize and/or reduce drugs
what are phase II drug metabolizing enzymes?
enzymes that add other groups to drugs
true or false: phase I and II designations reflect the order that drugs are metabolized
false
what are the enzymes of phase I?
cytochrome P450 identified with designation CYP