What does pharmacodynamics study?

Pharmacodynamics focuses on the effects that drugs have on the body and how those effects manifest, including the mechanism of action, the relationship between drug concentration and effect, and the therapeutic outcomes that a drug can produce. This field examines how drugs interact with receptor sites, enzymes, and other cellular structures to bring about physiological changes. Understanding pharmacodynamics is crucial for determining appropriate dosages, predicting patient responses, and recognizing the potential for drug interactions and therapeutic outcomes.

In contrast, other options pertain to different pharmacological concepts. The absorption of drugs relates to pharmacokinetics, which examines how drugs are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted from the body. Information on potential side effects is part of the broader assessment of a drug's safety and efficacy, often studied in pharmacovigilance and pharmacotherapy contexts. Lastly, the elimination of drugs from the body also falls under pharmacokinetics, as it relates to how the body processes and removes medications. Understanding these distinctions is key in the field of pharmacology.