Which of the following are the four main pharmacokinetic processes?

The four main pharmacokinetic processes that govern how drugs move through the body are absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion.

Absorption refers to the process by which a drug enters the bloodstream after administration. This can involve various routes, such as oral, intravenous, intramuscular, or transdermal.

Distribution mirrors how the drug spreads throughout the body’s tissues and organs after it enters the bloodstream. Factors affecting distribution include blood flow, the drug’s ability to cross cellular membranes, and protein binding.

Metabolism, often occurring in the liver, involves the biochemical alteration of the drug, which can render it more water-soluble for easier excretion or convert it to an active or inactive form.

Excretion is the final phase, where the body eliminates the drug and its metabolites, primarily through the kidneys but also via bile, sweat, and other routes.

Understanding these processes is crucial for evaluating how drugs interact with the body, their efficacy, and potential side effects. The other options listed incorporate terms and stages that do not accurately represent the established pharmacokinetic processes.