What does pharmacokinetics study in relation to drugs?

Pharmacokinetics is a branch of pharmacology that focuses on how the body affects a drug over time. This includes studying the processes of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of the drug. Understanding pharmacokinetics helps healthcare professionals predict how different patients might respond to a medication, determining factors such as how quickly a drug reaches its target site, how long it stays in the body, and how it is eliminated.

This process is crucial in establishing dosing regimens, adjusting for specific patient needs, and anticipating potential interactions between different substances. By examining these aspects, pharmacokinetics provides vital insights that help ensure medications are used safely and effectively.