How are medications “used up” in the body, and where do they go when they are?

Question

Why do we need to continue to take medications day after day? What actually happens in the process of them getting used up?

In: Biology

Answer 1

Depends on the medication.

Some are completely absorbed/metabolized. Some are perceived as “hazardous waste” and are steadily filtered out by the liver and kidneys. Some react and break down into their components, which are then filtered out.