What is the term for repeated exposure to a medication that can cause tolerance to other medications in the same class?

Cross tolerance is the term that describes a phenomenon where repeated exposure to a medication can lead to a diminished response not only to that specific drug but also to other medications within the same class that work similarly. This occurs because the body adjusts to the effects of the initial medication, often through various physiological adaptations, which can include changes in receptor sensitivity or the upregulation of metabolic enzymes. As a result, the individual may require higher doses of both the original medication and the other related medications to achieve the desired therapeutic effect.

For instance, if a patient develops tolerance to one opioid medication, they may find that when switching to another opioid, they also require a higher dose to attain similar analgesic effects. This understanding is crucial in clinical settings to avoid under-treatment of pain or other conditions that warrant medication management.

Dependence refers to a physiological condition where the body relies on a substance to function normally, which can lead to withdrawal symptoms when the substance is not available, but it doesn't specifically address the interaction between medications of the same class. Tachyphylaxis is a rapid decrease in the response to a drug after repeated doses over a short period, while drug interaction generally refers to the pharmacological effects that occur when one drug alters the action of another, which