The physicochemical properties, formulation, and route of administration of a drug determine its absorption.

Various dosage forms (tablets, capsules, solutions) containing the drug and additional ingredients are designed
for administration by different routes (e.g., orally, intravenously) (eg, oral, buccal, sublingual, rectal, parenteral,
topical, inhalational). To be absorbed, drugs must be in a solution regardless of the route of administration.
Consequently, solid forms (such as tablets) must be capable of disintegrating and deaggregating.

If not administered intravenously, a drug must traverse multiple semipermeable cell membranes before entering
the systemic circulation. Cell membranes are biological barriers that inhibit the passage of drug molecules in a
selective manner. The membranes are predominantly composed of a bimolecular lipid matrix, which determines
membrane permeability. Drugs can cross cell membranes via

Passive diffusion
Facilitated passive diffusion
Active