What is a potential consequence of drug tolerance?

A potential consequence of drug tolerance is the need for larger doses to achieve the same effect. Tolerance occurs when the body becomes accustomed to a drug after repeated use, resulting in diminished response to the drug at the same dose. As a result, the individual may find that the initial dose no longer produces the desired therapeutic effect, prompting them to increase the dosage. This phenomenon is common with many types of medications, especially opioids, sedatives, and certain antidepressants, where consistent use leads to a higher threshold for the drug's effects.

In contrast, improvement in symptoms without changes refers to efficacy that may persist even with some drug tolerance but is not a direct consequence of tolerance itself. Withdrawal symptoms upon cessation pertain to physical dependence rather than tolerance directly, where the body's adaptation to the drug leads to symptoms when it is suddenly stopped. Lastly, although some individuals might experience a reduction in side effects over time due to the body adapting, this is not a guaranteed or widely observed consequence of drug tolerance. Thus, the concept of requiring larger doses ties directly to the physiological mechanism of tolerance itself.