Molecular-modeling terms in pharmacology: ADMET, ADME and ADME-Tox

The acronym ADMET stands for absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicity. The word elimination may be swapped for excretion. This acronym is typically used in the context of drug design, where the relationship between the molecular structure and properties of chemical substances with pharmacokinetic, metabolic and toxicological endpoints is key in finding promising candidates to be further explored and tested as drugs. Toxicity—seen as a result of the other for processes or phenomena—is sometimes considered separatedly and the acronym ADME without a final T for toxicity is then used. Or, the notation ADME-Tox (also: ADME/Tox) is employed, visually separating the role of toxicity from the four physiological functions.

A short introduction and important links to ADMET-integrated research and associated software tools have recently been posted online.