Question

how does slow gastric emptying effects the rate of drug absorption?

Answer 1

The main factors that affect the gastric absorpition of drugs are

1. Abdominal motility
2. Food contents in stomach
3. Viscosity of stomach contents
4. The specific size of the capusle or the tablet of the medication
5. The blood supply to the stomach
6. The hormonal as well as autonomic activity

In case of slow gastric emptying the drug absorption rate will decrease significantly in our human body . This mainly is because of

• When the gastric motility decrease it will lead to reduction in the blood perfusion to the stomach and lead to reduction in the bioavailability and absorption of the drug
• The lining of our stomach is a mucus which is thick and protective in function and diffusion of medication is difficult though it . When gastric emptying is slow the medication will reach the samll intestine very slowly which is the main region with high absorption rate in body . So the adsorption rate will be low in slow gastric emptying
• When compared to the small intestine the stomach is only having a ver small surface are for the absorption of the medication. This will result in the reduction in rate of absorption of medication as gastric emptying when slowed will lead to retention of medication for more time in the stomach . So it will reach the small intestine slowly so rate of absorption will be slow