Dissolution is defined as which process?

• A. Breakdown of oral drug into smaller particles
• B. Movement from the GI tract into bloodstream
• C. Process of combining small drug particles with liquid to form a solution
• D. Metabolism of drug in liver

Answer: (B)

Dissolution is the process by which a solid drug dissolves in a liquid to form a solution, typically in GI fluids after an oral dose. This step is necessary before absorption because the drug must be in solution to cross the intestinal lining into the bloodstream. It’s different from disintegration, which is the physical breakdown of a tablet into smaller particles, and from absorption, which is the movement of the dissolved drug from the GI tract into the bloodstream. It’s also distinct from metabolism, which is the chemical modification of the drug in the liver. The description that matches dissolution is the process of combining solid drug particles with liquid to form a solution. Factors like particle size, solubility, pH, temperature, and agitation influence how quickly dissolution occurs.