ADME

Processes in pharmacokinetics

ADME is the four-letter abbreviation (acronym) for absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, and is mainly used in fields such as pharmacokinetics and pharmacology. The four letter stands for descriptors quantifying how a given drug interacts within body over time. The term ADME was first introduced in the 1960s, and has become a standard term widely used in scientific literature, teaching, drug regulations, and clinical practice.[1]

ADME, describes the disposition of a pharmaceutical compound within an organism. The four criteria all influence the drug levels and kinetics of drug exposure to the tissues and hence influence the performance and pharmacological activity of the compound as a drug. Sometimes, liberation and/or toxicity are also considered, yielding LADME, ADMET, or LADMET.

  1. ^ Doogue, Matthew P.; Polasek, Thomas M. (2013). "The ABCD of clinical pharmacokinetics". Therapeutic Advances in Drug Safety. 4 (1): 5–7. doi:10.1177/2042098612469335. ISSN 2042-0986. PMC 4110820. PMID 25083246.