Which term is evident when withdrawal from one drug can be reduced by using another drug from the same pharmacological class?

Which term is evident when withdrawal from one drug can be reduced by using another drug from the same pharmacological class?

• A. Cross-tolerance
• B. Tolerance
• C. Cross-dependence
• D. Metabolic tolerance

Answer: (C)

Cross-dependence happens when dependence on one drug can be eased by using another drug from the same pharmacological class, because both drugs act on the same receptors and produce similar neuroadaptive changes. This is why, for example, taking a different opioid like methadone can lessen heroin withdrawal—the body recognizes the second drug as acting on the same system and the withdrawal response is reduced. This is different from cross-tolerance, which is about reduced responsiveness to another drug in the same class due to shared receptor adaptations (needing higher doses for the same effect, not about withdrawal relief). Tolerance in general is a diminished effect with repeated use, while metabolic tolerance refers to changes in drug metabolism enzymes.

Cross-dependence happens when dependence on one drug can be eased by using another drug from the same pharmacological class, because both drugs act on the same receptors and produce similar neuroadaptive changes. This is why, for example, taking a different opioid like methadone can lessen heroin withdrawal—the body recognizes the second drug as acting on the same system and the withdrawal response is reduced. This is different from cross-tolerance, which is about reduced responsiveness to another drug in the same class due to shared receptor adaptations (needing higher doses for the same effect, not about withdrawal relief). Tolerance in general is a diminished effect with repeated use, while metabolic tolerance refers to changes in drug metabolism enzymes.