What does pharmacodynamics study?

Pharmacodynamics specifically studies the effects of drugs on the body, focusing on the relationship between drug concentration and its pharmacological effects. This includes how drugs interact with various cellular receptors and the subsequent physiological responses they trigger within the body. Understanding pharmacodynamics is essential for determining appropriate dosing, efficacy, and safety of medications, as it explores how drugs exert their effects at the target sites.

While the other aspects mentioned are critical components of pharmacology, they fall under different sub-categories. The elimination of drugs corresponds to pharmacokinetics, which deals with how drugs are metabolized and excreted. The absorption processes refer to how drugs enter the bloodstream, which is another pharmacokinetic concept. Lastly, the formulation of drug dosages involves pharmaceutical sciences rather than pharmacodynamics. Each of these areas is vital for understanding the complete pharmacological profile of a drug, but the core focus of pharmacodynamics is solely on the effects of drugs on bodily systems.