Which term refers to the component of the drug that produces the desired effect on the body?

The term that refers to the component of the drug that produces the desired effect on the body is the active ingredient. This component is responsible for the therapeutic action of the medication, meaning it is the portion that interacts with biological systems to elicit a response beneficial for treatment.

For example, in a pain relief medication, the active ingredient would be the substance specifically designed to alleviate pain. Understanding this concept is essential in pharmacy science because it helps healthcare professionals identify how a particular drug works and its expected outcomes for patients.

Inactive ingredients, in contrast, serve supportive roles such as fillers, binders, or preservatives, but they do not affect the therapeutic efficacy of the drug. The dosage form refers to the physical form of the drug, such as a tablet or liquid, which is important in determining how a drug is administered but does not define its active component. Medical compound typically refers to a combination of substances, which may include both active and inactive ingredients, but does not specifically denote the active component alone.