Which process follows absorption in the pharmacokinetic sequence?

In the pharmacokinetic sequence, after a drug is absorbed into the bloodstream, the next key process is distribution. During distribution, the drug is transported throughout the body, moving from the bloodstream to the tissues and organs where it exerts its therapeutic effects.

This process is critical because it determines how effectively the drug reaches its target sites and how quickly it can elicit a response. Factors influencing distribution include blood flow to tissues, the drug's fat and water solubility, and the ability of the drug to cross cell membranes.

Understanding distribution helps in predicting the onset time and duration of a drug’s effects, as well as potential interactions with other drugs. It is distinguished from absorption, which refers specifically to the uptake of medication into the bloodstream, and other processes like excretion, which occurs later when the body eliminates the drug.