Drug action: The therapeutic effect

Robertson, Deborah

Abstract

In this article in the series of ‘bite sized’ pharmacology, we will look at the concept of drug action—the therapeutic effect of the medications we give. It is important that prescribers are aware of factors that can affect drug action and the time-to-onset, and subsequent duration of, the desired therapeutic effect. This article will look at factors that affect these two important areas of drug action. Knowledge of these factors can assist the prescriber when deciding on doses and dose schedules to ensure that patients receive their medications at the correct dosing, by the correct route and in the right formulation to ensure optimum therapeutic effect. It also helps the prescriber understand why dose adjustments are made or some drugs are avoided in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.

Citation

Robertson, D. (2017). Drug action: The therapeutic effect. Nurse Prescribing, 15(5), 253-255. https://doi.org/10.12968/npre.2017.15.5.253

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 27, 2017
• Publication Date: May 2, 2017
• Deposit Date: Jan 4, 2024
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 5, 2024
• Journal: Nurse Prescribing
• Print ISSN: 1479-9189
• Electronic ISSN: 2052-2924
• Publisher: MA Healthcare
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 5
• Pages: 253-255
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.12968/npre.2017.15.5.253
• Keywords: Pharmacology (nursing)