In general, the presence of food ______ drug absorption.

• A. Lowers absorption
• B. Increases absorption
• C. Has no effect
• D. Only affects absorption of weak bases

Answer: (A)

Food in the GI tract often slows and reduces drug absorption. When a meal is present, gastric emptying is slowed, so the drug takes longer to reach the small intestine where most absorption occurs. The fed state also changes pH, bile flow, and the dissolution environment, which can reduce how well a drug dissolves or stays soluble. Dietary components like minerals, fiber, or tannins can bind or form insoluble complexes with drugs, further lowering the amount that gets absorbed into the bloodstream. While some drugs may experience enhanced absorption with certain meals, the general pattern for many drugs is a decreased extent of absorption, which is why the statement that food lowers absorption is considered correct. It’s not limited to weak bases and it’s not universally absent, though there are exceptions depending on the drug’s properties.