Definition:

The key factors affecting the concentration and distribution of a drug within the body and the time it spends in the body.

Drug activity depends on engagement between a drug and its molecular target. How a drug is absorbed, distributed across different tissues (or ‘compartments’), metabolized and eliminated (e.g. excreted) will all affect its ability to access its target site and have a biological effect.

ADME are the core elements of pharmacokinetics.