Drug transporters in pharmacokinetics

Abstract

This review deals with the drug transporters allowing drugs to enter and leave cells by carrier-mediated pathways. Emphasis is put on liver transporters but systems in gut, kidney, and blood-brain barrier are mentioned as well. Drug-drug interactions on carriers may provoke significant modification in pharmacokinetics as do carrier gene polymorphisms yielding functional carrier protein mutations. An integrated phase concept should reflect the interplay between drug metabolism and drug transport. © Springer-Verlag 2006.