Significance of First Pass Metabolism
First pass metabolism is a critical process where the concentration of a drug is significantly reduced before it reaches systemic circulation. This initial metabolism occurs primarily in the liver and can diminish the drug's effectiveness, impacting its bioavailability. The phenomenon is especially relevant for orally administered medications, as it can dramatically alter the amount of active drug available for therapeutic use. Various delivery technologies aim to bypass this metabolic effect to improve drug efficacy.
Synonyms: First-pass elimination, First-pass effect, Hepatic metabolism, Pre-systemic metabolism, Presystemic metabolism, Hepatic clearance, Metabolic inactivation, Bioavailability reduction
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The concept of First Pass Metabolism in scientific sources
First Pass Metabolism is the phenomenon where a drug's concentration is significantly diminished before entering systemic circulation, predominantly occurring in the liver and gut wall, especially with orally administered medications.
From: The Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
(1) The hepatic metabolism of a drug before it reaches systemic circulation, relevant in understanding the pharmacokinetics of theophylline.[1]