Abstract

Anyone given to ordinary idle speculation would expect drug absorption from the gut to be abnormal in people with gastrointestinal disorders. Slower or less complete absorption may reduce the (peak) plasma concentration below the minimum effective concentration or may delay the desired response. More rapid absorption might result in abnormally high or even toxic levels. Although gastrointestinal disease is common, studies of drug absorption involving more than a few patients are rare in this field and evidence of clinical consequences of changed absorption is rarer.