The ______ effect occurs when drugs are transported initially to the liver where a significant amount of the drug may be metabolized and destroyed before the drug reaches its primary site of action.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first pass effect is a pharmacokinetic phenomenon that occurs after oral administration of drugs. During the absorption phase, drugs from the gastrointestinal tract are transported to the liver through the portal vein, where they may be metabolized and partially destroyed. This can significantly reduce the amount of drug that reaches the systemic circulation and its primary site of action. Therefore, drugs with high first-pass metabolism may require higher doses or alternative routes of administration to achieve therapeutic levels.

The ______ Effect Occurs When Drugs Are Transported Initially to the Liver