Definition of Drug Dynamics

Therapeutic effects (such as relief of pain and reduction of blood pressure)

Side effects (see Drug Action Drug Action Drugs affect only the rate at which existing biologic functions proceed. (See also Definition of Drug Dynamics.) Drugs do not change the basic nature of these functions or create new functions... read more and Chemical Interactions Chemical Interactions After being swallowed, injected, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, mucosa under the tongue, or mucosa inside the cheek, most drugs enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body... read more )

Where the drug acts on the body (site of activity Site Selectivity After being swallowed, injected, inhaled, or absorbed through the skin, mucosa under the tongue, or mucosa inside the cheek, most drugs enter the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body... read more )

How the drug acts on the body (mechanism of action)

A person’s age (see Aging and Drugs Aging and Medications Medications, the most common medical intervention, are an important part of medical care for older people. Without medications, many older people would function less well or die at an earlier... read more )

A person's genetic makeup

The presence of other medical conditions in addition to the one being treated (see Overview of Response to Drugs Overview of Response to Drugs Everyone responds to drugs differently. The way a person responds to a drug is affected by many factors, including Genetic makeup Age Body size Use of other drugs and dietary supplements (such... read more )