Affinity
from class: Pharmacology for Nurses Definition Affinity is the strength of the interaction between a drug and its receptor. Higher affinity means the drug binds more tightly to its target receptor, often leading to greater potency.
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Predict what's on your test 5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test Drugs with high affinity for their receptors can produce effects at lower concentrations. Affinity is crucial in determining a drug's potency and efficacy. In competitive binding scenarios, drugs with higher affinity can displace those with lower affinity from their receptors. Understanding a drug's affinity helps predict therapeutic and side effects. Affinity does not equate to activation; some high-affinity drugs may be antagonists. Review Questions What does high affinity indicate about a drug's interaction with its receptor? How does affinity influence the dosage required for a drug to be effective? Why is it important to consider affinity when evaluating potential side effects of a drug? "Affinity" also found in:
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