Synonyms
Side effects
Definition
Drug toxicity refers to the level of damage that a compound can cause to an organism. The toxic effects of a drug are dose-dependent and can affect an entire system as in the CNS or a specific organ such as the liver. Drug toxicity usually occurs at doses that exceed the therapeutic efficacy of a drug; however, toxic and therapeutic effects can occur simultaneously. It can be assessed at the behavioral or physiological level. Behaviorally, drug toxicity can be exhibited in a variety of ways, for example, decreases in locomotor activity, loss of motor coordination, and cognitive impairment. Examples of physiological effects include lesions to tissue, neuronal death, and disrupted hormonal cycles.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2015 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
(2015). Toxicity of Drugs. In: Stolerman, I.P., Price, L.H. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36172-2_200031
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-36172-2_200031
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Print ISBN: 978-3-642-36171-5
Online ISBN: 978-3-642-36172-2
eBook Packages: Biomedical and Life SciencesReference Module Biomedical and Life Sciences