Toxicology is an important branch of pharmacology that focuses on the study of the properties of poisons, toxins (German: Gifte), drugs and other chemical compounds as well as their effects on living organisms. The health risk posed by a toxic substance can be estimated using certain parameters such as the dose, toxicity (German translation: Toxizität) and the length of time it remains in the body. Within pharmacology, toxicology deals with the ways in which drugs can cause adverse or toxic effects when used in clinical practice. However, the line between active pharmaceutical ingredient and toxic substances is blurred. As early as the time of Paracelsus, this concept was already known: “The dosage alone makes it so a thing is not a poison.”

The most important aspects of toxicology (translation into German: Toxikologie) related to pharmacology include:

• Studies on the toxicity of drugs: Toxicologists study the safety of drugs for patients by examining their potential toxic effects. This includes analyzing the doses at which toxic effects can occur and identifying the mechanisms by which drugs can damage the body.
• Evaluation of toxic effects: Toxicologists evaluate the clinical manifestations of the toxic effects of drugs, such as adverse drug reactions, allergic reactions and other adverse events that may occur as a result of treatment.
• Safe dosing: Toxicology helps to determine the safe dosage of drugs, i.e. the dose with the lowest possible risk of toxic effects.
• Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics: Toxicology also deals with the study of pharmacokinetics (how the body processes and absorbs a drug) and pharmacodynamics (mechanisms of action of a drug in the body) with regard to toxicity.
• Drug intoxication: In cases of drug overdose or abuse (translation into German: Drogenmissbrauch), toxicologists help to diagnose and treat poisoning.

An important goal of toxicology within pharmacology is to maximize safety in the use of drugs. Toxicological studies enable pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professionals to make informed decisions about the use of drugs and preventing or minimizing adverse toxic effects in patients.

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