After medicine is swallowed, it must be absorbed into the blood so it can move throughout the body. The process of absorbing, digesting, and excreting a medicine or food is called metabolism. The way the body metabolizes a particular medicine affects how often it must be taken. It also determines whether it will interact with other medicines or be affected by liver disease or kidney disease.

Felbatol is broken down (digested) in the liver. People with liver disease must be cautious about taking it. Other people also need to be careful if they take other medicines that are digested in the liver, as many are. The metabolism of each medicine may be affected, changing how quickly it works and leaves the body.

This is why the doctor needs to know about everything that a person takes—prescription medicines, over-the-counter medications, vitamins and other dietary supplements, and herbs. In most cases, all the medicines can be used if the amounts are adjusted to allow for these changes.

Felbatol is eliminated from the body in the urine, produced by the kidneys.