Which term refers to the removal of drugs from the body?

The term that refers to the removal of drugs from the body is excretion. This process is vital for the proper elimination of substances that are no longer needed or that could be harmful if accumulated in the body. Excretion primarily occurs through the kidneys, where waste products and excess substances are filtered out of the blood and eliminated in urine. Other routes of excretion can include bile, sweat, saliva, and even exhalation, but the kidneys play a central role in the excretory process for most drugs.

Absorption, on the other hand, pertains to how drugs enter the bloodstream after administration, distribution involves the dispersion of drugs throughout the body's tissues and fluids, and metabolism refers to the chemical transformation of drugs into more easily excretable forms. Understanding these terms is crucial as they describe the pharmacokinetic processes that affect how drugs work within the body.