What occurs if a medication is given before it is metabolized or excreted from the body?

The cumulative effect occurs when a medication is given before it has been fully metabolized or excreted from the body, leading to an accumulation of the drug in the system. This can happen if doses are administered too frequently or in too high of a dosage, resulting in a higher concentration of the drug than intended. As the drug builds up, it can increase the risk of adverse effects and toxicity, as the body may struggle to process and clear the medication effectively.

In contrast, side effects refer to the unintended reactions that can occur from taking a medication, which can be due to a variety of factors including its pharmacological properties. Drug interactions occur when one drug affects the activity of another, altering its effects or side effects. Tolerance is the body's adaptation to a medication over time, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect. Each of these concepts is related but distinct from the cumulative effect, which directly involves the timing and presence of drug metabolites in the body.