Question

Which are the two rate-determining step of drug absorption when given orally?

(a) Disintegration and deaggregation

(b) Disintegration and Dissolution

(c) Dissolution and permeation through the membrane

(d) Permeation through the membrane and Disintegration

This question was addressed to me during an interview.

This intriguing question comes from Physicochemical Factors Affecting Drug Absorption topic in portion Absorption of Drugs of Drug Biotechnology

Answer 1

Correct choice is (c) Dissolution and permeation through the membrane

The explanation is: The two critical slower rate-determining processes in the absorption of orally administered drugs are the rate of dissolution and rate of the solute or the drug permeation through the cell membrane or biomembrane.