BIO290 Pharmacology Exam 1 Complete Study Guide | ADME, Drug Development,
Dosage Concepts, Adverse Effects & Herbal Supplements | Joyce University | 2026 Update.
Course: BIO290 / BIO290V Pharmacology
Institution: Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences
1. Pharmacokinetics: ADME
Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to a drug as the medication moves through
the body.
The four major processes are:
A – Absorption
D – Distribution
M – Metabolism
E – Excretion
Together, these are commonly remembered as ADME.
1.1 Absorption
Definition
Absorption is the movement of a medication from its site of administration into the bloodstream.
Factors Regulating Absorption
1. Route of Administration
The route used to administer a drug has a major effect on how quickly and completely the
medication reaches the circulation.
Intravenous – IV
Drug is delivered directly into the bloodstream.
No absorption step is required.
Bioavailability is 100%.
Intramuscular – IM
, Medication is injected into muscle.
It must be absorbed from muscle tissue into the bloodstream.
Subcutaneous – SQ
Medication is delivered into subcutaneous tissue.
Drug must move from the tissue into the circulation.
Oral – PO
Drug is swallowed.
Absorption occurs mainly through the gastrointestinal tract.
Sublingual
Drug is placed under the tongue.
Medication is absorbed through the oral mucosa.
Buccal
Drug is placed between the cheek and gum.
Absorption occurs through the buccal mucosa.
Rectal
Drug is administered into the rectum and absorbed through rectal mucosa.
2. Blood Flow
Greater blood flow to the site of administration generally results in faster absorption.
Highly perfused tissues can move a medication into systemic circulation more quickly than
tissues with limited circulation.
3. Surface Area
A larger absorptive surface allows more drug to cross into the bloodstream.
The small intestine is particularly effective for absorption because of its large surface area.
4. Membrane Characteristics
Drugs must cross biological membranes.
Lipid-soluble drugs generally cross cell membranes more readily than substances that do not
dissolve well in lipids.
,5. Drug Formulation
The formulation of a medication can influence the speed of absorption.
Examples include:
Immediate-release preparations
Extended-release preparations
Tablet size
Tablet coating
Additional Factors Affecting Absorption
Absorption may also be affected by:
Presence or absence of food
Gastric and intestinal pH
Gastrointestinal motility
Diarrhea
Constipation
Gastroparesis
Drug-drug interactions
Drug-supplement interactions
Chelation
First-pass metabolism
Gastrointestinal disease
Malabsorption disorders such as Crohn's disease
1.2 Distribution
Definition
Distribution is the movement of medication from the bloodstream into tissues, organs, and
ultimately the location where the drug produces its effect.
Factors Regulating Distribution
Blood Flow
Organs with greater blood flow generally receive drugs faster.
Capillary Permeability
, Distribution depends partly on how easily a drug crosses capillary walls.
Plasma Protein Binding
Albumin is an important plasma protein that binds many medications.
For highly protein-bound drugs:
A large amount of drug remains attached to albumin.
Less free drug is available to produce a pharmacologic effect.
Only the unbound fraction is readily available to move into tissues and act on receptors.
Low Albumin
Low albumin levels can occur with conditions such as:
Malnutrition
Liver disease
Serious illness
When albumin decreases:
Less protein binding → more free drug → greater possibility of toxicity.
Other Factors Affecting Distribution
Tissue storage in fat or bone
Blood-brain barrier
Placental barrier
Amount of total body water
Percentage of body fat
Obesity
Older age
Heart failure
Shock
Other conditions reducing tissue perfusion
1.3 Metabolism / Biotransformation
Definition
Drug metabolism is the chemical modification of medications into metabolites.
Dosage Concepts, Adverse Effects & Herbal Supplements | Joyce University | 2026 Update.
Course: BIO290 / BIO290V Pharmacology
Institution: Joyce University of Nursing and Health Sciences
1. Pharmacokinetics: ADME
Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to a drug as the medication moves through
the body.
The four major processes are:
A – Absorption
D – Distribution
M – Metabolism
E – Excretion
Together, these are commonly remembered as ADME.
1.1 Absorption
Definition
Absorption is the movement of a medication from its site of administration into the bloodstream.
Factors Regulating Absorption
1. Route of Administration
The route used to administer a drug has a major effect on how quickly and completely the
medication reaches the circulation.
Intravenous – IV
Drug is delivered directly into the bloodstream.
No absorption step is required.
Bioavailability is 100%.
Intramuscular – IM
, Medication is injected into muscle.
It must be absorbed from muscle tissue into the bloodstream.
Subcutaneous – SQ
Medication is delivered into subcutaneous tissue.
Drug must move from the tissue into the circulation.
Oral – PO
Drug is swallowed.
Absorption occurs mainly through the gastrointestinal tract.
Sublingual
Drug is placed under the tongue.
Medication is absorbed through the oral mucosa.
Buccal
Drug is placed between the cheek and gum.
Absorption occurs through the buccal mucosa.
Rectal
Drug is administered into the rectum and absorbed through rectal mucosa.
2. Blood Flow
Greater blood flow to the site of administration generally results in faster absorption.
Highly perfused tissues can move a medication into systemic circulation more quickly than
tissues with limited circulation.
3. Surface Area
A larger absorptive surface allows more drug to cross into the bloodstream.
The small intestine is particularly effective for absorption because of its large surface area.
4. Membrane Characteristics
Drugs must cross biological membranes.
Lipid-soluble drugs generally cross cell membranes more readily than substances that do not
dissolve well in lipids.
,5. Drug Formulation
The formulation of a medication can influence the speed of absorption.
Examples include:
Immediate-release preparations
Extended-release preparations
Tablet size
Tablet coating
Additional Factors Affecting Absorption
Absorption may also be affected by:
Presence or absence of food
Gastric and intestinal pH
Gastrointestinal motility
Diarrhea
Constipation
Gastroparesis
Drug-drug interactions
Drug-supplement interactions
Chelation
First-pass metabolism
Gastrointestinal disease
Malabsorption disorders such as Crohn's disease
1.2 Distribution
Definition
Distribution is the movement of medication from the bloodstream into tissues, organs, and
ultimately the location where the drug produces its effect.
Factors Regulating Distribution
Blood Flow
Organs with greater blood flow generally receive drugs faster.
Capillary Permeability
, Distribution depends partly on how easily a drug crosses capillary walls.
Plasma Protein Binding
Albumin is an important plasma protein that binds many medications.
For highly protein-bound drugs:
A large amount of drug remains attached to albumin.
Less free drug is available to produce a pharmacologic effect.
Only the unbound fraction is readily available to move into tissues and act on receptors.
Low Albumin
Low albumin levels can occur with conditions such as:
Malnutrition
Liver disease
Serious illness
When albumin decreases:
Less protein binding → more free drug → greater possibility of toxicity.
Other Factors Affecting Distribution
Tissue storage in fat or bone
Blood-brain barrier
Placental barrier
Amount of total body water
Percentage of body fat
Obesity
Older age
Heart failure
Shock
Other conditions reducing tissue perfusion
1.3 Metabolism / Biotransformation
Definition
Drug metabolism is the chemical modification of medications into metabolites.
