Question

What incident occurs when drugs are administered in excessive dosages or impaired excretion of the drug allows it to build up in the body until toxic levels are reached and toxic effects become evident?

Answer 1

Drug toxicity or overdose happens when medications are consumed in excessive amounts or the body can't properly excrete them, leading to dangerous drug levels and adverse effects that can be immediate or delayed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The incident you are describing is known as drug toxicity or overdose. This occurs when prescription or over-the-counter medications are taken in dosages higher than recommended, or when the body's ability to excrete the drug is impaired, leading to a harmful concentration of the drug within the body. Such toxic levels can cause a range of adverse effects that could manifest immediately or may not be appreciated until much later.

Dosage and route of administration are critical in avoiding drug toxicity, especially in individuals with liver or kidney dysfunctions, which may slow the drug metabolism or clearance, thus increasing the risk of toxicity. Factors like age, body mass, and overall health influence how a drug is processed by the body, too. Drug toxicity can result in acute effects such as sudden death or chronic effects, where subtle detrimental changes occur over time.

Excessive drug intake in the context of substance misuse can also lead to drug abuse and addiction, compelling the user to consume increasingly higher doses to achieve the desired effects, exacerbating the risk of overdose and potential fatality.