What term describes the effect of a drug resulting from overdose or buildup in the blood?

The term that describes the effect of a drug resulting from overdose or buildup in the blood is drug toxicity. When a medication is taken in excessive amounts or accumulates in the body due to factors such as impaired metabolism or excretion, it can lead to harmful effects. Toxicity can manifest in various ways, such as altered mental status, organ damage, or severe physiological reactions, depending on the specific drug involved and its mechanism of action.

In contrast, drug allergies refer to hypersensitive reactions to a medication, typically involving the immune system. Drug interactions occur when one drug alters the effects or metabolism of another drug, potentially leading to adverse effects but are not primarily linked to overdose. Drug resistance refers to the reduced efficacy of a drug, particularly in the context of antibiotics or antiretroviral medications, due to the adaptation of pathogens or tumor cells. This highlights the significance of understanding drug toxicity as a critical concern in patient safety and medication management.