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What are metabolites in pharmacology?
A metabolite is any substance produced during metabolism (digestion or other bodily chemical processes). The term metabolite may also refer to the product that remains after a drug is broken down (metabolized) by the body.
What does it mean if a drug has active metabolites?
An active metabolite results when a drug is metabolized by the body into a modified form which continues to produce effects in the body. Usually these effects are similar to those of the parent drug but weaker, although they can still be significant (see e.g. 11-hydroxy-THC, morphine-6-glucuronide).
What drugs have active metabolites?
Active metabolites as drugs in their own right
| Metabolite drugs | Parent drugs |
|---|---|
| Morphine | Codeine |
| Nortriptyline | Amitriptyline |
| Oxazepam | Diazepam |
| Phenobarabital | Primidone |
What are considered metabolites?
A metabolite refers to any substance involved in metabolism. It is often regarded as the immediate by-product of a metabolic process. Examples of primary metabolites are ethanol, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, 5′ guanylic acid, acetic acid, lactic acid, glycerol, etc. …
Where does most drug metabolism occur?
the liver
Most drugs must pass through the liver, which is the primary site for drug metabolism. Once in the liver, enzymes convert prodrugs to active metabolites or convert active drugs to inactive forms.
What does a metabolite do?
Metabolites have various functions, including fuel, structure, signaling, stimulatory and inhibitory effects on enzymes, catalytic activity of their own (usually as a cofactor to an enzyme), defense, and interactions with other organisms (e.g. pigments, odorants, and pheromones).
Which drug converted into active metabolite after absorption?
A prodrug is a medication or compound that, after administration, is metabolized (i.e., converted within the body) into a pharmacologically active drug. Instead of administering a drug directly, a corresponding prodrug can be used to improve how the drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted (ADME).
How is a drug metabolized in the body?
Most drugs must pass through the liver, which is the primary site for drug metabolism. Once in the liver, enzymes convert prodrugs to active metabolites or convert active drugs to inactive forms. The liver’s primary mechanism for metabolizing drugs is via a specific group of cytochrome P-450 enzymes.
How long is marijuana detectable in urine?
Urine tests can detect marijuana in the urine for approximately 3–30 days after use. Saliva tests can detect marijuana for approximately 24 hours after use. Some saliva tests have detected marijuana for up to 72 hours.
Where are drugs metabolized?
Drug metabolism usually occurs in the liver, but occasionally can take place in the gastrointestinal tract, lungs, kidneys, skin or plasma.
What is a marijuana metabolite?
THC-COOH, though not psychoactive, is the primary marijuana metabolite screened for in workplace drug testing. While most drug metabolites are water-soluble and are excreted rapidly from the body, THC-COOH, is fat-soluble and thus exits the body slowly.
Where is marijuana metabolized?
Metabolism occurs mainly in the liver by cytochrome P450 enzymes CYP2C9, CYP2C19, and CYP3A4. More than 55% of THC is excreted in the feces and ≈20% in the urine. The main metabolite in urine is the ester of glucuronic acid and THC- COOH and free THC-COOH.