What is the relationship between drug concentration and toxicity in a therapeutic range?

Prepare for the iCEV Elanco Veterinary Medical Applications Certification Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations to secure your certification!

The relationship between drug concentration and toxicity is best understood through the concept of the therapeutic range. The therapeutic range is the concentration of a drug in the body that achieves the desired effect without causing harmful side effects. When drug concentrations remain within this range, the medication is generally considered safe and effective.

However, if the drug concentration exceeds this therapeutic range, the risk of adverse effects or toxicity increases. This can happen because many medications have a dose-response relationship, meaning that as the amount of the drug increases, the intensity of the effect can also increase. When the concentration becomes too high, the body may not be able to tolerate the effects, leading to toxicity.

Therefore, increased concentration can indeed lead to toxicity if it exceeds the therapeutic range, making this understanding crucial for proper drug administration and monitoring in veterinary medicine and pharmacology.

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