Removal of acidic drugs from body is done by using:
**Core Concept**
The removal of acidic drugs from the body involves the process of elimination through the kidneys, utilizing specific transport mechanisms to facilitate the excretion of these substances. Acidic drugs are weak acids with an ionizable group, which allows them to be trapped in the kidney's tubules.
**Why the Correct Answer is Right**
The kidneys utilize the organic anion transporters (OATs) and organic cation transporters (OCTs) to facilitate the excretion of acidic drugs. These transporters play a crucial role in the renal elimination of weak acids, such as penicillin and aspirin. The OATs work by exchanging the acidic drug with a conjugate base, allowing for the trapping of the acidic drug in the tubules, which is then eliminated in the urine.
**Why Each Wrong Option is Incorrect**
* **Option A:** Renal tubular secretion is involved in the removal of acidic drugs, but it's not the primary transport mechanism. Renal tubular secretion is a process where substances are actively transported from the blood into the tubular lumen, but it's not specific to acidic drugs.
* **Option B:** The liver is involved in the metabolism of acidic drugs, but it's not directly responsible for their removal from the body. The liver metabolizes acidic drugs into more water-soluble compounds, which are then excreted in the bile or urine.
* **Option C:** The lungs are responsible for the elimination of carbon dioxide, but not acidic drugs. The elimination of acidic drugs from the body primarily occurs through the kidneys, not the lungs.
**Clinical Pearl / High-Yield Fact**
Acidic drugs can be trapped in the kidney's tubules using the organic anion transporters (OATs), which facilitates their excretion. This process is essential for the effective elimination of acidic drugs from the body.
**Correct Answer:** C.