Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are absorbed in the small intestine after their enteric coating dissolves.
Here's a breakdown of the absorption process:
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Enteric Coating: PPIs are formulated with an enteric coating. This special coating protects the medication from being broken down by the acidic environment of the stomach.
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Passage to the Small Intestine: The PPI travels through the stomach relatively unchanged thanks to the enteric coating.
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Coating Dissolution: Once the PPI reaches the less acidic environment of the small intestine, the enteric coating dissolves.
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Absorption into the Bloodstream: The PPI is then absorbed from the small intestine into the bloodstream.
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Short Half-Life: Once in the blood, PPIs have a relatively short plasma half-life, typically ranging from 1 to 1.5 hours. (The pharmacology of proton pump inhibitors)
Therefore, the key to PPI absorption lies in their protective enteric coating and the location of absorption: the small intestine.
