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Drug metabolism

Drug metabolism is the biochemical process by which the body transforms pharmaceutical substances to facilitate their elimination. This process primarily occurs in the liver, involving enzymatic reactions that convert drugs into more water-soluble metabolites, which can then be excreted through the kidneys or bile. Drug metabolism typically consists of two phases: Phase I reactions, such as oxidation, reduction, and hydrolysis, which introduce or unmask functional groups on the drug molecule, and Phase II reactions, such as conjugation, which attach small polar molecules to these functional groups, increasing the drug's solubility. This metabolic transformation is crucial for detoxifying and clearing drugs from the body, affecting their therapeutic efficacy and duration of action. The rate and extent of drug metabolism can vary widely among individuals due to genetic, environmental, and physiological factors, influencing drug response and the potential for adverse effects.
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