Which term refers to the dispersion of a drug throughout the body?

Which term refers to the dispersion of a drug throughout the body?

• A. Absorption
• B. Distribution
• C. Pharmacodynamics
• D. Biotransformation

Answer: (B)

Dispersion of a drug throughout the body after it enters the circulation is described as distribution. This phase involves the movement from blood into tissues and compartments, influenced by factors like tissue perfusion, lipophilicity, and plasma protein binding; the resulting volume of distribution helps quantify how extensively a drug spreads. Absorption is the process of entering the bloodstream from the administration site, not its spread after entry. Pharmacodynamics deals with the drug’s effects on the body, and biotransformation refers to metabolism, primarily in the liver. Therefore, the term that best matches “dispersion of a drug throughout the body” is distribution.

Dispersion of a drug throughout the body after it enters the circulation is described as distribution. This phase involves the movement from blood into tissues and compartments, influenced by factors like tissue perfusion, lipophilicity, and plasma protein binding; the resulting volume of distribution helps quantify how extensively a drug spreads. Absorption is the process of entering the bloodstream from the administration site, not its spread after entry. Pharmacodynamics deals with the drug’s effects on the body, and biotransformation refers to metabolism, primarily in the liver. Therefore, the term that best matches “dispersion of a drug throughout the body” is distribution.