Which process involves converting a drug to a form that can be eliminated from the body?

The process of converting a drug to a form that can be eliminated from the body is known as metabolism. Metabolism refers to the biochemical alteration of substances via enzymatic activity, primarily taking place in the liver. During this process, drugs are transformed into more hydrophilic compounds, which facilitates their excretion from the body through urine or bile.

In contrast, absorption refers to the process through which a drug enters the bloodstream from its site of administration. Distribution involves the dispersion of the drug throughout the body's fluids and tissues. Excretion is the final process where the already metabolized substances are removed from the body. However, it is metabolism that acts as the crucial step that prepares drugs for excretion by making them more soluble and easier for the body to eliminate.