In which context is 'pharmacodynamics' typically discussed?

Pharmacodynamics is primarily concerned with the effects of drugs on the body, including the mechanisms by which they exert their therapeutic and adverse effects. It explores how a drug interacts with cellular receptors to produce a biological response, the relationship between drug concentration and effect, and the time course of drug action. Understanding pharmacodynamics is crucial for predicting how a drug will perform in a specific patient population, establishing effective dosing regimens, and minimizing side effects.

In contrast, while absorption of medications involves how a drug is taken into the body, and drug interactions relate to how different drugs can influence each other's effects, these aspects are more closely related to pharmacokinetics and clinical considerations rather than the specific mechanisms of action and effects that define pharmacodynamics. Patient adherence to therapy is also outside the realm of pharmacodynamics; it focuses on the behavioral aspects of medication use rather than the science behind how drugs work in the body. Hence, discussing pharmacodynamics appropriately centers around drug effects and mechanisms.