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Glossary · Tier 2

Pharmacokinetics

Also known as: PK, ADME

Verified from StatPearls on 06-02-2026
Quick answer

Pharmacokinetics, often abbreviated PK, describes what the body does to a drug from the moment it enters the system until it is fully cleared. The field is typically organized around four parameters known as ADME: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. It is closely linked to, but distinct from, pharmacodynamics, which looks at what the drug does to the body. The verbatim source definition follows below.

MedivaScan summary. The authoritative source quote follows below.

StatPearls definition

Pharmacokinetics (PK) is the study of how the body interacts with administered substances for the entire duration of exposure (medications for the sake of this article). This is closely related to but distinctly different from pharmacodynamics, which examines the drug’s effect on the body more closely. This field generally examines these four main parameters: absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME).

National Library of Medicine (NCBI Bookshelf)View on source ›Verbatim quote. Last verified 06-02-2026.
For information only. MedivaScan summarizes public FDA data and is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare professional before changing any medication. If you experience a serious reaction, contact your doctor or call 911.