Pharmacology is the scientific discipline that studies the interactions between drugs and biological systems. It encompasses two main branches: pharmacodynamics, which explores how drugs exert their effects on the body, and pharmacokinetics, which examines how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs.
Central to pharmacology is the mechanism of action (MoA) the specific biochemical interaction through which a drug produces its therapeutic effect. This may involve binding to receptors, modulating enzyme activity, altering ion channels, or interfering with signaling pathways. Understanding a drug's MoA provides critical insight into its efficacy, safety profile, and potential side effects.