What does pharmacodynamics study?

Pharmacodynamics is specifically focused on the relationship between drugs and their effects on biological systems. This field examines how drugs interact with receptors, enzymes, and various target sites in the body to produce therapeutic effects, as well as potential side effects. It involves understanding the mechanisms of action, the relationship between drug concentration and effect, and how different factors such as dosage and individual patient characteristics can influence the overall response to a medication.

While aspects such as drug absorption, metabolism, and degradation are important in pharmacology, they are covered under pharmacokinetics and other specialized fields, rather than pharmacodynamics. Pharmacokinetics looks at how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs, while pharmacogenomics studies genetic factors that affect individual responses to medications. Thus, the study of the effects of drugs on biological systems is what defines pharmacodynamics, setting it apart from the other concepts.