Spare Receptors

Spare receptors enhance drug response, allowing maximum effect even when not all receptors are occupied.

Definition of Spare Receptors:

• Spare receptors are receptors that are not required to be occupied by a drug to produce the maximum response.

Significance:

• A full response can be achieved even when only a small fraction of total receptors are occupied.
• This is due to signal amplification in certain receptor systems (especially those involving G-proteins and enzymes).

Implication:

• Presence of spare receptors increases sensitivity to agonists.
• It explains why low concentrations of a drug can sometimes still produce a full effect.

Thank you for reading from Firsthope's notes, don't forget to check YouTube videos!