Changes

Drugs are most usually small molecules (<1000 molecular weight) and thus can pass through cell membranes through '''passive diffusion''' and '''facilitated transport'''. For further information on these processes please look [[Transport Across Membranes - Physiology|here]].  To cross vascular endothelium drugs usually are able to squeeze through the gaps between the cells. The size of these gaps varies between different locations in the body; in the liver the gaps are large but in the central nervous system these gaps are tight junctions.

Drugs are most usually small molecules (<1000 molecular weight) and thus can pass through cell membranes through '''passive diffusion''' and '''facilitated transport'''. For further information on these processes please look [[Transport Across Membranes - Physiology|here]].  To cross vascular endothelium drugs usually are able to squeeze through the gaps between the cells. The size of these gaps varies between different locations in the body; in the liver the gaps are large but in the central nervous system these gaps are tight junctions.

The ability of a drug to cross the phospholipid bilayer not only infuences the rate and extent of its absorption but also the rate and extent of it's distribution, metabolism and elimination.

The ability of a drug to cross the phospholipid bilayer not only influences the rate and extent of its absorption but also the rate and extent of its distribution, metabolism and elimination.

Below are the main factors affecting absorption:

Below are the main factors affecting absorption:

* Very High (>1l/kg) - concentrated in a body fluid other than plasma and there may be bound residues eg fat

* Very High (>1l/kg) - concentrated in a body fluid other than plasma and there may be bound residues eg fat

Lipid-soluble drugs reach all compartments and can accumulate in fat. Whilst lipi-insoluble drugs are mainly contained in plasma and interstitial fluids; they are usually incapable of crossing the blood-brain barrier.

Lipid-soluble drugs reach all compartments and can accumulate in fat. Whilst lipid-insoluble drugs are mainly contained in plasma and interstitial fluids; they are usually incapable of crossing the blood-brain barrier.

==Metabolism==

==Metabolism==

For drugs to be eliminated from the body in a more water soluble form, most drugs require metabolism. The extent of metabolism varies between species and age. Herbivores metabolise drugs the most efficiently followed by dogs and then cats. This is due to the amount of metabolising enzymes present differ in each species. Old and neonatal animals show reduced hepatic metabolisma and renal excretion. Neonates also have greater absorption via the gastrointestinal tract and have an increased permeability of the blood brain barrier. This means that a neonate has higher plasma levels of a drug than an adult and so are at greater risk to drug toxicity.  

For drugs to be eliminated from the body in a more water soluble form, most drugs require metabolism. The extent of metabolism varies between species and age. Herbivores metabolise drugs the most efficiently followed by dogs and then cats. This is due to the amount of metabolising enzymes present differ in each species. Old and neonatal animals show reduced hepatic metabolism and renal excretion. Neonates also have greater absorption via the gastrointestinal tract and have an increased permeability of the blood brain barrier. This means that a neonate has higher plasma levels of a drug than an adult and so are at greater risk to drug toxicity.  

In certain drugs the metabolite is in fact the active form. The adminstered inactive form is called a '''pro-drug'''.

In certain drugs the metabolite is in fact the active form. The adminstered inactive form is called a '''pro-drug'''.