Hypoxia plays a key role in the pharmacokinetic changes of drugs at high altitude.

Hypoxia plays a key role in the pharmacokinetic changes of drugs at high altitude.
Curr Drug Metab. 2018 May 28;:
Authors: Zhou X, Nian Y, Qiao Y, Yang M, Xin Y, Li X
Abstract
Hypoxia can alter the pharmacokinetic (PK) characteristics of drugs, thereby affecting drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion. Environmental characteristics at high altitude include but are not limited to hypobaric hypoxia, low temperature, high solar radiation, and arid climate, all of which can adversely affect normal bodily functions. Recent studies have indicated that hypoxia may play a key role in the PK changes of drugs at high altitude. Here we reported the effects of hypoxia on drug metabolism at high altitude, elaborated on the metabolic characteristics of some drugs and the activity and expression of drug-metabolizing enzymes in high-altitude hypoxic environments, and discussed the relevant mechanisms.
PMID: 29807512 [PubMed - as supplied by publisher]

Source: Current Drug Metabolism - May 28, 2018 Category: Drugs & Pharmacology Authors: Zhou X, Nian Y, Qiao Y, Yang M, Xin Y, Li X Tags: Curr Drug Metab Source Type: research