Drug tolerance is a phenomenon where the body becomes less responsive to a drug over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. It often develops with prolonged use of medications, such as anticonvulsants for epilepsy.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Tolerance can develop quickly or slowly depending on the drug and individual patient factors.
Drug tolerance is not equivalent to addiction; it is a pharmacologic response.
Patients with epilepsy may require periodic dosage adjustments due to tolerance.
Cross-tolerance can occur between drugs that have similar mechanisms of action.
Healthcare providers must monitor for signs of tolerance to optimize therapeutic outcomes.
Review Questions
What factors influence the rate at which drug tolerance develops?
How does drug tolerance impact the management of epilepsy in patients?
What is the difference between drug tolerance and drug addiction?
Related terms
Cross-Tolerance: When tolerance to one drug results in decreased sensitivity to another similar drug.
Pharmacokinetics: The study of how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the body.
Therapeutic Window: The range of drug dosages which can treat disease effectively while staying within the safety range.