Which term would be used to describe harmful or excessive drug effects affecting many organs?

• A. Toxicity
• B. Allergy
• C. Systemic Effect
• D. Anaphylaxis

Answer: (A)

Toxicity is the term that captures harmful or excessive drug effects on the body. When a medication is overdosed or used too long, its toxic effects can involve multiple organ systems, which is described as systemic toxicity. An allergic reaction is an immune-mediated response, and anaphylaxis is a severe form of that reaction; neither term generalizes to all harmful, multi-organ effects. A systemic effect refers to the reach of the drug’s actions in the body, but toxicity specifically conveys harmful damage, especially when it spans several organs.