Other Factors Affecting Drug Absorption and Distribution
In addition to protein availability, other factors may affect drug absorption and distribution in the body as a whole or at specific sites within the body. The following table highlights some of these other factors.
| Regional blood flow | Reduced area blood flow can be seen in diabetics and enhanced blood flow can be seen in tumors.
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| Lipid solubility of the drug | The more lipophilic a drug is, the more likely it will enter the central nervous system. |
| The integrity of the GI tract | In a diseased gut, an orally-administered drug may not be absorbed as expected. |
| Age | Drug kinetics and dispositions change throughout life. In general, metabolism of drugs is reduced in the elderly. |
| Genetics | Mutations or deletions in drug metabolizing enzymes can greatly affect a drug's disposition. |
