Question

What are the major stability problems which result in poor bioavailability of any orally administered drugs?

(a) Acidic degradation

(b) Degradation by salivary amylase

(c) Degradation of the drug in inactive form

(d) Interaction with the excipients and degradation in an inactive form

I have been asked this question in final exam.

This interesting question is from Drugs Absorption topic in chapter Absorption of Drugs of Drug Biotechnology

Answer 1

The correct option is (d) Interaction with the excipients and degradation in an inactive form

Easy explanation: A drug for oral use may destabilize either during its shelf life or in the GIT. Thus giving up to two major destabilizing problems that give rise to bioavailability problems are degradation of the drug in inactive form and interaction with one or more different components of the formulation.