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How does your body process medicine? - Céline Valéry

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TEDEd Animation

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Have you ever wondered what happens to a painkiller, like ibuprofen, after you swallow it? Medicine that slides down your throat can help treat a headache, a sore back, or a throbbing sprained ankle. But how does it get where it needs to go in the first place? Céline Valéry explains how your body processes medicine.

Taking medicines as tablets (or any other oral form) implies that some drug can be neutralized by liver enzymes before reaching the bloodstream and its target. Injecting the drug directly into the bloodstream bypasses this process. Do other routes also bypass the liver and deliver the drug directly into the bloodstream?

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About TED-Ed Animations

TED-Ed Animations feature the words and ideas of educators brought to life by professional animators. Are you an educator or animator interested in creating a TED-Ed Animation? Nominate yourself here »

Meet The Creators

  • Educator Céline Valéry
  • Director Daniel Gray
  • Script Editor Eleanor Nelsen
  • Producer Bella Szederkényi, CUB Animation Ltd.
  • Associate Producer Jessica Ruby
  • Content Producer Gerta Xhelo
  • Editorial Producer Alex Rosenthal
  • Narrator Julianna Zarzycki

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