Why do some drugs work better than others?

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.

Why do some people metabolize drugs faster?

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 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 some people respond differently to drugs than others?

The body adapts to its presence and needs a higher amount for the person to feel the same results. Taking certain drugs can cause you to develop a tolerance at a faster rate than others. For example, the way opioids interact with the body creates a tolerance in a short time.

Does a drug with high potency also have high efficacy?

Both Drug A and Drug B achieve the same maximum effect, i.e. they have equal efficacy. However, drug A achieves this effect at a lower dose. Thus, Drug A has higher potency than Drug B.

What determines drug efficacy?

In pharmacology, efficacy describes the maximum response that can be achieved with a drug. The effect of the drug is plotted against dose in a graph, to give the dose–response curve. The highest point on the curve shows the maximum response (efficacy) and is referred to as the Emax.

Where are most drugs absorbed?

For these reasons, most drugs are absorbed primarily in the small intestine, and acids, despite their ability as un-ionized drugs to readily cross membranes, are absorbed faster in the intestine than in the stomach (for review, see [1.

Do drugs affect everyone differently?

The effects of drugs on young people can be unpredictable and inconsistent. It can vary between people or for the same person on a different occasions. There are three main things that influence the effect of a drug – the environment, the drug and the person.