How Much Do You Know About Drug Distribution During Pregnancy?

• Drug distribution during pregnancy is complex due to four compartments: fetus, amniotic fluid, placenta, and mother.
• Movement of drugs is affected by each compartment, with some having higher drug concentrations than others.
• For a drug to move from maternal to fetal circulation, it must cross the physical barrier between the two.
• Transfer methods include diffusion, active transport, and movement via protein transporters.
• Most drugs move across placental membranes by simple diffusion.
• Some drugs use carrier-mediated mechanisms or facilitated diffusion.
• Glucocorticoids and cephalexin are examples of drugs transported via facilitated diffusion.
• Facilitated diffusion is used for transport of endogenous compounds and drugs structurally similar to hormones.
• Neither method requires energy or allows transfer to an area of higher drug concentration.
• Hormones are naturally transported through facilitated diffusion.

Test your knowledge of drug distribution during pregnancy with this informative quiz! Learn about the four compartments involved, the methods of drug transfer, and examples of drugs transported via facilitated diffusion. Keywords: drug distribution, pregnancy, compartments, placenta, facilitated diffusion.