Drug Excretion · Pharmacology

Which renal process is responsible for the 'clearance' of drugs like Penicillin, which can exceed the normal glomerular filtration rate (GFR)?

  1. Passive tubular diffusion
  2. Glomerular filtration
  3. Tubular reabsorption
  4. Active tubular secretion
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Correct answer: Active tubular secretion

Active tubular secretion occurs in the proximal tubule via specific carrier systems (OATs and OCTs). This energy-dependent process can strip drugs even from plasma proteins, allowing for a clearance rate higher than the GFR.

Difficulty: Medium Question 4 of 20

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