first-pass effect
Liver metabolizes first
The first-pass effect is the rapid metabolism of a drug by the liver before it reaches general circulation.
When medication is taken orally, it passes through the liver after absorption from the gut, where enzymes may break down a significant portion before it can act elsewhere in the body.
This explains why some drugs require higher oral doses than injected ones, or why certain medications must bypass the digestive system entirely.
- hepaticRelating to liver
- liverAbdominal detoxifying organ
- liver enzymesProteins catalyzing hepatic reactions
- portal veinVessel feeding liver from gut
- metabolismCellular nutrient conversion
drug metabolism · bioavailability · oral · absorption · portal · circulation · blood supply · drug · elimination · intestinal · enzymes · cytochrome · bloodstream · swallowed · pill · tablet · bypass · injection
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