Drug Absorption · Pharmacology

Which of the following describes the 'pH Partition Hypothesis'?

  1. Drugs move from areas of high pH to low pH exclusively
  2. Only ionized drugs can dissolve in lipids
  3. The unionized drug partitions across membranes until equal on both sides
  4. Strong bases are absorbed much faster than weak bases in the acidic stomach
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Correct answer: The unionized drug partitions across membranes until equal on both sides

The hypothesis states that membranes are permeable to unionized molecules. Equilibrium is reached when the concentration of the unionized species is the same in different compartments, even if the total drug (ionized + unionized) differs due to pH gaps.

Difficulty: Medium Question 16 of 20

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