first-pass metabolism

views updated

first-pass metabolism n. a process in which a drug administered by mouth is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract and transported via the portal vein to the liver, where it is metabolized. As a result, in some cases only a small proportion of the active drug reaches the systemic circulation and its intended target tissue. First-pass metabolism can be bypassed by giving the drug via sublingual or buccal routes.

A Dictionary of Nursing

More From encyclopedia.com

About this article

first-pass metabolism

Updated About encyclopedia.com content Print Article

You Might Also Like

NEARBY TERMS

first-order term

First-Order Logic

first-order constructs

first-line treatment

first-level nurse

first-day cover

first-class type

First, Ruth (1925–1982)

First, Last and Deposit

First Yank into Tokyo

First World War: The Effect on the Development of Psychoanalysis

First Walpurgis Night

First Virginia Banks, Inc.

First USA, Inc.

First Union Corporation

First Time Felon

First Team Sports, Inc.

first-pass metabolism

First-Past-The-Post

Firstborn Children

Firstbrook, Peter 1951(?)-

Firstsource Corp

First–Mover Advantage

Firt (Fuerth), Julius

Firth, Brian W. 1926-

Firth, Colin 1960–

Firth, Grace (Ushler) 1922-2004

Firth, John 1953- (John V. Firth)

Firth, Peter 1953-

Firth, Sir Raymond William