An unusual individual reaction to a medication is termed...

An unusual individual reaction to a medication is termed...

• A. Hypersensitivity
• B. Indication
• C. Idiosyncrasy
• D. Antagonism

Answer: (C)

An idiosyncratic reaction is an unusual, unpredictable response to a medication that cannot be explained by the drug’s usual effects or by the dose given. It often stems from individual factors, such as genetic differences in metabolism or receptor sensitivity, so it may occur in only a small number of people and isn’t dose-dependent. This distinguishes it from hypersensitivity, which is immune-mediated; from indication, which is what the drug is used to treat; and from antagonism, which is when one drug blocks or reduces the effect of another.

An idiosyncratic reaction is an unusual, unpredictable response to a medication that cannot be explained by the drug’s usual effects or by the dose given. It often stems from individual factors, such as genetic differences in metabolism or receptor sensitivity, so it may occur in only a small number of people and isn’t dose-dependent. This distinguishes it from hypersensitivity, which is immune-mediated; from indication, which is what the drug is used to treat; and from antagonism, which is when one drug blocks or reduces the effect of another.