What process describes what the body does to a medication, including absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion?

The term that describes the process of what the body does to a medication, encompassing absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion, is pharmacokinetics. This aspect of pharmacology focuses on the movement of drugs within the body, detailing how each stage contributes to the overall effect and duration of the drug's action.

Understanding pharmacokinetics is essential for determining appropriate dosages and timing for medications to achieve the desired therapeutic effect while minimizing potential side effects. This process involves understanding how quickly a drug is absorbed into the bloodstream, how it is distributed throughout the body, how it is metabolized by the liver and other tissues, and how it is ultimately excreted from the body, typically via the kidneys.

In contrast, pharmacodynamics relates to the physiological effects of the drugs on the body and their mechanisms of action, while pharmacotherapeutics refers to the use of drugs to treat diseases. Pharmacogenomics examines how genetic factors influence individual responses to medications. All these areas play important roles in the broader field of pharmacology, but they focus on different aspects than those captured in the correct choice.