Pharmacology
Pharmacokinetics
Pharmacokinetics is the study of how a substance is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body over time.
Detailed Explanation
Pharmacokinetics (PK) encompasses four key processes: absorption (how the compound enters the bloodstream), distribution (how it spreads to tissues), metabolism (how it is broken down), and excretion (how it is eliminated). For peptides, key PK considerations include bioavailability (often low for oral administration), half-life (ranging from minutes to days depending on modifications), and route of administration (subcutaneous injection is most common).