Minoxidil; Frequent Questions and Answers-2

Q 2-22.
Absorption and Metabolism of Oral Medicine; In General:

There is a difference in absorption and efficacy of medicine between oral intake and topical application.

A 2-22.

Oral medicine is absorbed through small intestine and enters into blood. The blood flows through portal vein to the liver. After the drug is metabolized and partially inactivated in the liver, the drug enters systemic circulation.

This process is called first-pass effect. Oral medicine is metabolized by the enzymes in the liver before it is distributed throughout the body.

The blood concentration of oral medicine rises and reaches maximum concentration in 1-1.5 hours. The blood level goes down gradually afterwards.

Blood concentration of oral medicine will stay in a high level for many hours even if you want to get rid of the medicine when things go wrong,

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