A specific product formed as the body chemically breaks down a drug.
Biology · High School · Sun Jan 24 2021
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A specific product formed as the body chemically breaks down a drug is known as a metabolite. Metabolites are the intermediate products of metabolic reactions catalyzed by various enzymes that naturally take place within the body's cells. When a drug is ingested, it is often metabolized by liver enzymes, resulting in various metabolites, which can be pharmacologically active or inactive.
The process of metabolizing drugs is generally called drug metabolism and is a part of the wider field of pharmacokinetics. It mostly happens in the liver, where enzyme systems such as the cytochrome P450 oxidases break down the drugs, changing their chemical structure to make them more water-soluble. This modification not only usually inactivates the drugs but also makes it easier for the body to excrete them in the urine or feces.