Table of Contents
Why do drugs work differently in different people?
And small differences in genes are the reason a drug works in some people and not in others. These differences also are the reason some people metabolize drugs faster than others–meaning that some individuals might require higher or lower dosages of the same drug to get the same effect–depending on their genes.
Can drugs affect people differently?
Age is one of the factors that determine how a drug will affect a user. Drugs can affect young people differently for many reasons. For example: Having less experience with a drug means a person is less likely to have developed a tolerance for it.
Why do medications not work for some people?
Hormonal issues, poor metabolism, poor sleep, high blood pressure, or stomach conditions could change the effect of your medications. It is important to inform all of your doctors about any other conditions you may have to help avoid these problems.
Why do drugs vary in their effectiveness?
Affinity and Intrinsic Activity. A drug’s action is affected by the quantity of drug that reaches the receptor and the degree of attraction (affinity) between it and its receptor on the cell’s surface. Once bound to their receptor, drugs vary in their ability to produce an effect (intrinsic activity).
Why do different drugs have different half lives?
The half-life of a drug is the time it takes for the amount of a drug’s active substance in your body to reduce by half. This depends on how the body processes and gets rid of the drug. It can vary from a few hours to a few days, or sometimes weeks.
Why do people metabolise drugs differently?
Some drugs are chemically altered by the body (metabolized)… read more ) drugs slowly. As a result, a drug may accumulate in the body, causing toxicity. Other people metabolize drugs so quickly that after they take a usual dose, drug levels in the blood never become high enough for the drug to be effective.
Why do drugs not have the same effect on all patients?
Differences in genetics, age, and gender are among several variables that influence individual responses to medications. Additionally, a drug’s intended effect may be altered by coadministered medications, underlying disease states, and food.
What is it called when medication doesn’t work anymore?
Treatment-resistant is a clinical term used to describe the situation when your condition doesn’t respond to a prescription medication as expected – it may work partially, or not at all. Unfortunately, this is an all too common experience for patients diagnosed with major depressive disorder.
What affects drug effectiveness?
The effect of any drug on an individual is the result of three interacting factors: the drug itself. the individual user. the environment in which drug use occurs.
Why do drugs have different classes?
Drugs are classified for safety and effectiveness reasons. It helps limit side effects, predict your response to it, and choose a replacement drug when one doesn’t work. You shouldn’t take multiple drugs from a single class or that affect the same organ system. Some classes of drugs shouldn’t be used together.
Why a drug usually has different names?
Every medication enters the market with two names. The first name is its generic (or chemical) name. The second name is its brand name, usually something catchy and chosen by the manufacturer who has the patent on the medication. This allows generic companies to price their medications much lower.