How is pharmacodynamics defined?

Pharmacodynamics is fundamentally defined as the study of the effects and mechanisms of action of drugs within the body. This area of pharmacology focuses on what a drug does to the body, including the relationship between drug concentration and effect, how drugs induce their therapeutic effects, and the physiological and biochemical interactions that underpin these actions.

Understanding pharmacodynamics is crucial for developing effective drugs, as it helps in determining the required dosage, predicting possible interactions, and assessing the therapeutic window of medications. This contrasts with other areas of pharmaceutics; for instance, absorption and formulation assessments focus on how drugs are delivered or maintained within the body, rather than their action once they reach their target. This makes the chosen definition central to the broader understanding of drug action in pharmacology.