Exercise and Drug Interactions

For many years, people have been exercising to induce positive physiological responses in the [Page 415]body that improve health and well-being. Some of these physiological responses caused by exercise, however, may have an adverse effect on the performance of some medications. When researchers design a drug, certain parameters are followed to ensure that the drug performs as it was designed. These parameters are expressed in the discipline of pharmacology called pharmacokinetics. There are 4 basic areas involved in pharmacokinetics: (1) absorption, (2) distribution, (3) metabolism, and (4) excretion of drugs. Exercise can have a significant effect on one or more of these areas and can affect the ability of drugs to exert their intended effects within the body. The specific type and degree of effect ...