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tolerance

TOL-er-uhnss /ˈtɑːlərəns/

nounB2GRETOEFLIELTS

generalacademicformal

The progressive reduction of a response to a drug after repeated administration, requiring increased doses to achieve the same therapeutic effect.

In medicine, drug tolerance is a physiological adaptation, which is distinct from psychological addiction or physical dependence.

The story behind the word. From Latin 'tolerantia' (endurance, fortitude), from 'tolerare' (to bear or sustain). It transitioned into biological science in the 19th century to describe the body's ability to endure increasing quantities of a foreign chemical.

Word relationships

desensitization: Desensitization describes the cellular receptor mechanism causing decreased responsiveness, whereas tolerance describes the clinical result.
habituation: Habituation often refers to psychological or behavioral adaptation to a stimulus.

hypersensitivity: An exaggerated or excessive biological response to a drug or antigen.
intolerance: Inability to withstand or endure a drug without adverse physical reactions.

Commonly confused with

dependence: Tolerance means needing a higher dose for the same effect; dependence means experiencing physical withdrawal symptoms if the drug is stopped.

Word family

tolerant (adjective): Showing physical adaptation to a drug; able to endure.
tolerate (verb): To endure a drug's dose without adverse physical disruption.

Collocations

drug tolerance
develop tolerance
build tolerance
high tolerance
immune tolerance

Example sentences

"Patients taking opioid analgesics over extended periods frequently develop drug tolerance, necessitating careful dosage management." Pain Management
"Receptor desensitization is one of the primary cellular mechanisms driving rapid tolerance to nitrate medications." Pharmacology

Memory hook

TOLERATE = ENDURE. Tolerance means your body learns to endure the drug and demands more. Tolerance = Needing more drug to feel the same effect.

When not to use

Do not confuse pharmacological tolerance with social open-mindedness unless discussing sociological acceptance.

Fun facts

Tachyphylaxis is a special term for ultra-rapid drug tolerance that occurs after taking only a few initial doses.