Mechanism of action 5105731 225712435 2008-07-15T01:06:56Z Astavats 1675373 +See also; Pharmacokinetics, -dynamics In [[pharmacology]], the term '''mechanism of action''' (MOA) refers to the specific biochemical interaction through which a [[Medication|drug]] substance produces its pharmacological effect. A mechanism of action usually includes mention of the specific molecular targets to which the drug binds, such as an [[enzyme]] or [[receptor (biochemistry)|receptor]]. For example, the mechanism of action of [[aspirin]] involved irreversible inhibition of the enzyme [[cyclooxygenase]], which suppresses the production of [[prostaglandin]]s and [[thromboxane]]s thereby reducing pain and inflammation. ==See also== *[[Pharmacodynamics]] *[[Pharmacokinetics]] {{Medicinal chemistry}} [[Category:Pharmacology]] [[Category:Medicinal chemistry]] {{pharma-stub}} [[pt:Mecanismo de ação]]