What is a metabolite?

A metabolite is defined as a chemical product formed as a result of a drug’s reaction within the body. When a drug is ingested, it undergoes various biochemical processes that transform it into different substances, known as metabolites. These metabolites can be active or inactive and can have different effects on the body compared to the parent drug. Understanding metabolites is crucial for drug recognition experts because they can play significant roles in the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of substances, affecting both the duration and intensity of a drug's effects.

Metabolites are often the target during drug testing to determine substance use, as they can remain detectable in the body longer than the parent drug. This makes the study of metabolites essential for establishing whether a substance has been used and can also provide information about potential impairment due to their effects on the body.