adaptation to drugs

Last reviewed 01/2018

Adaptation to drugs may be seen in the following ways:

  • therapeutic effects through adaptation:
    • immunization, tricyclics
  • tolerance increasing ineffectiveness of therapy:
    • target cell tolerance - e.g. depletion of NA by ephidrine nosedrops - allergic rhinitis
    • physiological homeostatic mechanisms, e.g. hydralazine
    • reflex tachycardia
  • adaptation to drugs:
    • metabolic autoinduction - e.g. barbiturates, carbamazepine
  • withdrawal symptoms can be caused by:
    • opiates, alcohol, benzodiazepines, clonidine, corticosteroids, organic nitrates, beta blockers, enzyme inducers, etc.
  • adverse effects directly due to adaptation:
    • tardive dyskinesia due to dopamine antagonists