Certified Ophthalmic Medical Technologist (COMT) 2026 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Question: 1 / 505

Raising the pH of a drug will make it more what?

Lipid soluble

When the pH of a drug is raised, it usually affects the ionization of the drug based on its chemical structure and properties. Most drugs are either weak acids or weak bases. By increasing the pH, weak acids tend to become less ionized, while weak bases will become more ionized.

In the case of weak bases, raising the pH pushes the equilibrium towards the non-ionized (lipid-soluble) form of the drug, enhancing its ability to permeate lipid membranes. This is because non-ionized compounds are generally more lipid-soluble, enabling better absorption in the body since cell membranes are primarily composed of lipid layers.

Thus, raising the pH of a drug increases its lipid solubility, making it more effective for certain routes of administration or absorption in the body, especially when considering transdermal or oral delivery.

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Water soluble

Acidic

Neutral

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