A drug undergoes significant enterohepatic circulation. What is the expected effect on its pharmacokinetic profile?

• A Decreased half-life due to enhanced fecal elimination
• B Prolonged duration of action due to intestinal reabsorption ✓
• C Increased volume of distribution due to tissue sequestration
• D Reduced oral bioavailability due to increased first-pass metabolism

Explanation

Enterohepatic circulation involves biliary excretion of a drug (often as a conjugate), hydrolysis by gut flora, and reabsorption of the parent drug from the intestine. This recycling prolongs the drug's half-life and duration of action. It does not enhance fecal elimination, increase Vd, or reduce bioavailability. Examples include oral contraceptives and digoxin.

Reference: Goodman and Gilman's The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, 14th ed.

High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP

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