What term describes the body's adaptation to a drug, making it less effective over time?

The term that describes the body's adaptation to a drug, making it less effective over time, is tolerance. Tolerance occurs when repeated use of a medication causes the body to become accustomed to its effects, leading to a diminished response. This means that higher doses of the drug may be required to achieve the same therapeutic effect that a lower dose once provided.

Understanding tolerance is crucial in medication management, as it can affect the efficacy of treatments and necessitate dosage adjustments. This adaptation does not imply any negative connotation about the medication itself; rather it highlights an important pharmacological principle that clinicians must consider when evaluating a patient’s response to ongoing therapy.