Which term is used to describe the removal of a drug from systemic circulation?

Which term is used to describe the removal of a drug from systemic circulation?

• A. Elimination
• B. Adenosine
• C. Active Transport
• D. Absorption

Answer: (A)

The main concept is how a drug is cleared from the bloodstream. Elimination describes the body's overall removal of drug from systemic circulation, through processes like metabolism in the liver and excretion by the kidneys, bile, or lungs. This is what reduces the drug’s plasma concentration over time and helps determine its duration of action and half-life. Absorption is the entry of the drug into the bloodstream, so it’s the opposite process. Active transport refers to a mechanism that can move substances across membranes but doesn’t itself name the overall removal from circulation. Adenosine is a specific drug and not the process of clearance. Therefore, elimination is the correct term because it encompasses both metabolism and excretion as the body clears the drug from the system.

The main concept is how a drug is cleared from the bloodstream. Elimination describes the body's overall removal of drug from systemic circulation, through processes like metabolism in the liver and excretion by the kidneys, bile, or lungs. This is what reduces the drug’s plasma concentration over time and helps determine its duration of action and half-life. Absorption is the entry of the drug into the bloodstream, so it’s the opposite process. Active transport refers to a mechanism that can move substances across membranes but doesn’t itself name the overall removal from circulation. Adenosine is a specific drug and not the process of clearance. Therefore, elimination is the correct term because it encompasses both metabolism and excretion as the body clears the drug from the system.