Drug Reactions, Interactions & Efficacy

What must a drug do to a receptor in order to produce pharmacologic effects?

The drug must bind to the receptor and fit it properly.

What is a dose–response relationship?

It describes the relationship between the drug dose (or concentration) and the pharmacologic response it produces.

What is desensitization in the context of receptor regulation?

Desensitization is a decrease in receptor responsiveness despite the receptor still being present.

What occurs during down-regulation of receptors?

Down-regulation refers to a decrease in the number of receptors on a cell surface after prolonged stimulation.

What is an Adverse Drug Event (ADE)?

An ADE is any unfavorable and unintended response to a drug, whether or not it is related to the medication.

What differentiates an Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) from a side effect?

An ADR is an unintended and harmful response to a medication occurring at doses normally used for treatment, and is specifically noted as 'not a side effect'.

What are the four types of hypersensitivity reactions to medications?

Hypersensitivity reactions are categorized into four types (Type I–IV) based on the immune-mediated responses.

How do drug-drug interactions occur?

Drug-drug interactions occur when two or more medications affect each other inside the body, altering the effectiveness of one or both drugs.

What is a common consequence of drug-food interactions?

Food can block or increase drug absorption, thereby altering how the drug works in the body.

What changes occur in pregnant patients that influence medication use?

Pregnancy increases blood volume, body fat, liver enzyme activity, and kidney filtration, affecting drug absorption and metabolism.

What differences in medication use are observed in pediatric patients?

Pediatric patients have developing stomach, liver, and kidney function, which alters drug absorption, distribution, and metabolism compared to adults.

What age-related changes do geriatrics experience that affect medication use?

Geriatrics may exhibit slower gastric emptying, increased body fat, decreased body water, lower albumin, and reduced liver metabolism.