Invited review
The role of the gastrointestinal microflora in the metabolism of drugs

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Abstract

The metabolism of drugs by intestinal microorganisms is reviewed with emphasis on composition of the flora, access of drugs to their metabolic effects and methods used to study their role in drug metabolism. Types of metabolic reactions are summarized and examples of drugs subject to microbial metabolism are discussed, highlighting the influence of the drug delivery system. Pharmacological and clinical implications of metabolism of drugs by intestinal microflora are emphasized.

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