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Agonist Tachyphylaxis

Meaning

Agonist tachyphylaxis describes the rapid, short-term decrease in a cell’s response to a specific agonist after its initial administration. This physiological phenomenon manifests as a diminished clinical effect despite continued or repeated dosing of a hormone or hormone-mimicking substance. It represents a temporary loss of therapeutic efficacy, which often necessitates a change in treatment strategy or dosage timing. This cellular desensitization is a critical consideration in hormonal replacement and peptide therapy protocols.