What term refers to what the drug does to the body?

The term that refers to what the drug does to the body is pharmacodynamics. This field of pharmacology studies the effects of drugs on biological systems, including the mechanisms of action, the relationships between drug concentration and effect, and the biochemical and physiological effects produced by a drug. Essentially, pharmacodynamics examines how drugs work in the body to produce effects, including therapeutic outcomes and potential side effects.

In contrast, pharmacokinetics focuses on how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes a drug, which is a separate aspect of drug action. Pharmacotherapy refers to the treatment of disease through the use of medications, while pharmaceuticals relate to the drugs themselves, including their formulation and development. Each of these terms occupies a distinct area within the broader field of pharmacology, but pharmacodynamics specifically addresses the interaction and effects of drugs on the body.