Carrier-mediated drug transport

{
  "id": "MLC-T-CHM-001685",
  "term": "Carrier-mediated drug transport",
  "field": "Chemistry",
  "definition": "The movement of a drug molecule across a biological membrane with the assistance of a specific carrier protein embedded within that membrane. This process is characterized by specificity for the drug, saturability at high drug concentrations, and susceptibility to competitive inhibition by structurally similar molecules. Unlike simple diffusion, this transport mechanism can be either passive (facilitated diffusion) or active, with the latter requiring energy to move drugs against a concentration gradient.",
  "subject": "Chemistry and Human Health",
  "see_also": [
    "active transport of drugs",
    "diffusion barrier"
  ],
  "references": [
    "PAC, 2009, 81, 971. 'Glossary of terms related to pharmaceutics (IUPAC Recommendations 2009)' on page 979 (https://doi.org/10.1351/PAC-REC-04-10-14)"
  ],
  "url": "https://mlchart.com/terminology/chemistry/carrier-mediated-drug-transport/"
}