Question

7. What is a drug tolerance mechanism? How does it impact the sensitivity of receptors?

Answer 1

It is defined as reduction in drug’s effect in subjects as a result of repeated use. It is reversible as after a drug holiday , a drug may exert same effects as well as increasing the dose may cause reamplification of drug’s effects

impact on receptors

In most pf the cases of drug tolerance, desensitisation of receptors occur because of constant binding of high concentration of substance on them. In case of receptor agonist, there may be reduction in receptors density. Whereas opposite happens in receptors antagonist in which there is increased receptor firing rate, increase in receptor density.