Which term refers to the transfer of a drug from one part of the body to another?

The term that refers to the transfer of a drug from one part of the body to another is distribution. In pharmacology, after a drug is administered, it enters the bloodstream and is then distributed throughout the body to reach its target sites of action. This process is influenced by several factors, including blood flow, the affinity of tissues for the drug, and barriers such as the blood-brain barrier.

Understanding distribution is crucial because it affects the drug’s efficacy and safety. For instance, a drug may need to reach specific organs or tissues to produce a therapeutic effect, and alterations in distribution can impact the overall pharmacokinetics of the drug.

Absorption, while important, specifically refers to the process by which a drug enters the bloodstream after administration. Metabolism involves the chemical alteration of the drug in the body, usually in the liver, while excretion is the elimination of the drug from the body, typically through urine or feces. Each of these processes is distinct and plays a different role in the overall pharmacological journey of a drug.