What does it mean when a drug is Biotransformed?
What does it mean when a drug is Biotransformed?
Biotransformation means chemical alteration of chemicals such as nutrients, amino acids, toxins, and drugs in the body. It is also needed to render non-polar compounds polar so that they are not reabsorbed in renal tubules and are excreted.
What happens to a drug during biotransformation?
The processes of biotransformation can lead to activation or inactivation of a drug and may involve numerous drug metabolites. Unchanged drugs or their metabolites are removed from the body by excretory organs such as the kidney or lung.
When does drug metabolism occur?
Most drugs must pass through the liver, which is the primary site for drug metabolism. Once in the liver, enzymes convert prodrugs to active metabolites or convert active drugs to inactive forms. The liver’s primary mechanism for metabolizing drugs is via a specific group of cytochrome P-450 enzymes.
What are the factors affecting biotransformation?
Biotransformation of drugs to polar metabolites is a key step in the termination of action and the elimination of drugs used in therapeutics. A large number of factors, including infection, alter the basal rates of drug metabolism and cause a number of untoward effects and drug interactions.
Is metabolism and biotransformation the same?
In short, “metabolism of drugs” is a form of biotransformation which happens to drugs in a body, whereas “biotransformation” is a more general term which applies equally well to the actions of a disembodied enzyme digesting an oil slick.
How do drugs affect the limbic system in the brain?
Many drugs— nicotine, cocaine, marijuana, and others—affect the brain’s “reward” circuit, which is part of the limbic system. Normally, the reward circuit responds to healthy, pleasurable activities by releasing the neurotransmitter dopamine, which teaches other parts of the brain to repeat those activities.
What happens when you cross tolerance with another drug?
Cross-tolerance could occur. This is tolerance to other drugs in the same class. With certain classes of drugs, like opioids, tolerance can increase the risk of dependence, addiction, and overdose. When your body develops tolerance, using higher doses increases the risk of overdose.
How does the drug trade affect developing countries?
In many countries, the illegal drug trade is thought to be directly linked to violent crimes such as murder. This is especially true in all developing countries, such as Honduras, but is also an issue for many developed countries worldwide.
What kind of effects do drugs have on the body?
Some drugs (such as alcohol, heroin and tranquillisers) have a sedative effect which slow down the way the body and brain function. They can have a numbing effect that produces drowsiness if a lot is taken. Other drugs (such as amphetamine, cocaine, crack and ecstasy) have a stimulant effect giving a rush of energy and making people more alert.
What kind of Biotransformation can a drug undergo?
Drugs can undergo one of four potential biotransformations: Active Drug to Inactive Metabolite, Active Drug to Active Metabolite, Inactive Drug to Active Metabolite, Active Drug to Toxic Metabolite (biotoxification).
Which is an example of a biotransformation modification?
Biotransformation is the chemical modification (or modifications) made by an organism on a chemical compound. If this modification ends in mineral compounds like CO 2, NH 4+, or H 2 O, the biotransformation is called mineralisation .
What’s the difference between mineralisation and biotransformation?
If this modification ends in mineral compounds like CO 2, NH 4 +, or H 2O, the biotransformation is called mineralisation. Biotransformation means chemical alteration of chemicals such as nutrients, amino acids, toxins, and drugs in the body.
How does biotransformation of xenobiotics influence toxicokinetics?
Biotransformation of xenobiotics can dominate toxicokinetics and the metabolites may reach higher concentrations in organisms than their parent compounds.