Robertson, Deborah A. F.2017-07-042017-07-042017-05-13Robertson, D. A. (2017) Drug action: The therapeutic effect. Nurse Prescribing 15(5), 253-255. https://doi.org/10.12968/npre.2017.15.5.2531479-918910.12968/npre.2017.15.5.253http://hdl.handle.net/10034/620551This document is the Accepted Manuscript version of a Published Work that appeared in final form in Nurse Prescribing, copyright © MA Education, after peer review and technical editing by the publisher. To access the final edited and published work see http://www.magonlinelibrary.com/doi/10.12968/npre.2017.15.5.253.Abstract In this article in the series of ‘bite sized’ pharmacology, we will look at the concept of drug action- the therapeutic effect of the medications we give. It is important that prescribers are aware of factors that can affect drug action and the time to onset of and subsequent duration of the desired therapeutic effect. We will look at factors that affect these two important areas of drug action. Knowledge of these factors can assist the prescriber when deciding on doses and dose schedules to ensure that patients receive their medications at the correct dosing, by the correct route and in the right formulation to ensure optimum therapeutic effect. It also helps the prescriber understand why dose adjustments are made or some drugs are avoided in patients with hepatic or renal impairment.enhttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/PrescribingPharmacologyArticleNurse Prescribing