Tolerance

Definition

Tolerance is the body's reduced response to a drug after repeated use, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. It involves pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic changes that diminish drug efficacy.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Tolerance can develop to both therapeutic effects and side effects of drugs.
2. Pharmacokinetic tolerance occurs when the body metabolizes a drug more efficiently over time.
3. Pharmacodynamic tolerance involves changes at the cellular level, such as receptor desensitization or downregulation.
4. Cross-tolerance can occur between drugs with similar mechanisms of action, like different opioids.
5. Recognizing tolerance is crucial in managing pain effectively and preventing overdose in substance use disorders.

Review Questions

• What are the two main types of tolerance that can develop with repeated drug use?
• Why is it important for nurses to recognize signs of tolerance in patients using opioid agonists?
• How does cross-tolerance impact treatment options for patients with substance use disorders?

Related terms

Dependence:

A state where the body relies on a drug to function normally, often resulting in withdrawal symptoms if use is discontinued.

Withdrawal:

The physical and psychological symptoms that occur when reducing or stopping a drug that one has become dependent on.

Opioid Agonists:

Drugs that activate opioid receptors in the brain to produce pain-relieving effects.