Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Tolerance is the reduced response to a drug after repeated use, leading an individual to consume larger doses in order to achieve the same effect.
Related terms
Sensitization: An increased reaction to multiple doses of a drug. This is opposite of tolerance where one needs less for an intense reaction rather than more.
Desensitization: Reduced responsiveness due usually to continued exposure over time.
Cross-tolerance: A phenomenon where tolerance developed against one drug creates tolerance for another related drug too.