During pharmacology class, a student asks her instructor how protein binding affects the pharmacokinetics of a drug. What is the instructors's best response?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Protein binding can affect the distribution of the drug in the body. When a drug is bound to a protein, it is not available to exert a pharmacological effect, and therefore the onset of drug action can be delayed. However, once the drug dissociates from the protein, it becomes active and can produce a pharmacological effect. If the drug has a high affinity for the protein and is tightly bound, it will take longer to dissociate from the protein and become active, which can prolong the duration of action.

During Pharmacology Class, a Student Asks Her Instructor How Protein