beginnerfirst-pass metabolismbioavailabilitypharmacokineticsoral administrationhepatic metabolism
A 44-year-old woman is being switched from intravenous haloperidol 5 mg (which controlled her acute psychosis in the hospital) to an oral formulation for discharge. The PMHNP prescribes oral haloperidol 10 mg, which is approximately double the IV dose. A nursing student asks why the oral dose needs to be higher than the intravenous dose if it is the same medication.