Lecture on the Journey of Ibuprofen in the Body

Introduction

• Discusses what happens after ingesting a painkiller like ibuprofen.
• Ibuprofen helps treat pain by traveling through the bloodstream.
• The drug is processed and neutralized by organs and molecules in the body.

Initial Processing in the Digestive System

• Disintegration:
  • Ibuprofen tablet dissolves in stomach acid.
  • Dissolved ibuprofen travels to the small intestine.
• Absorption:
  • Crosses intestinal wall into blood vessels.
  • Blood vessels carry it to the liver.

Processing in the Liver

• Neutralization Attempt:
  • Liver enzymes react with ibuprofen to form metabolites.
  • Most ibuprofen remains effective after this stage.
• Circulatory System Entry:
  • Enters bloodstream and circulates through body parts.

Pain Relief Mechanism

• Binding to Targets:
  • Ibuprofen binds to specific molecules in the pain response area.
  • Blocks compounds that transmit pain signals.
• Pain Relief Onset:
  • Maximum effect reached in 1-2 hours.
  • Blood dose is halved every two hours as ibuprofen is eliminated.

Elimination from the Body

• Kidney Filtration:
  • Metabolites are filtered out by the kidneys.
• Continuous Cycle:
  • Blood cycle occurs once per minute, with drug neutralization and filtration in each cycle.

Factors Affecting Drug Processing

• Variation in Absorption and Metabolism:
  • Depends on the drug type, individual differences, and administration method.
• Dosing Instructions:
  • Based on average data and may not suit all individuals.

Challenges in Dosage for Children

• Dosage Complications:
  • Children's drug processing changes rapidly.
  • Liver enzyme levels fluctuate during growth.
• Influencing Factors:
  • Genetics, age, diet, disease, pregnancy affect drug metabolism.

Future Prospects

• Personalized Medicine:
  • DNA tests may determine precise dosage in the future.
• Current Recommendations:
  • Follow the medicine label, advice from doctors or pharmacists.