Dosissensitivität

Dosissensitivität refers to the relationship between the dose of a substance or treatment and the magnitude of its effect. It is a fundamental concept in pharmacology, toxicology, and medicine, describing how a biological response changes as the dosage of a particular agent varies. Generally, as the dose increases, the response also increases, up to a certain point where the effect may plateau or even decline. Conversely, lower doses typically produce weaker effects.

Understanding dosissensitivität is crucial for determining optimal therapeutic dosages, minimizing side effects, and assessing toxicity. For drugs, a therapeutic window exists, representing the range of doses that are effective without causing unacceptable toxicity. Factors influencing dosissensitivität can include individual patient characteristics such as age, weight, metabolism, genetics, and the presence of other medical conditions or medications. In toxicology, dosissensitivität helps establish safe exposure limits. The shape of the dose-response curve can vary significantly depending on the substance and the biological system, ranging from linear to sigmoidal. This variability highlights the importance of careful dose-response studies in scientific research and clinical practice.