cross-tolerance

[kraws-tol-er-uhns, kros-]

noun

Physiology.

1. the resistance to one or more effects of a substance because of tolerance to a pharmacologically similar substance.

   a cross-tolerance of some alcoholics to anesthetics.

Word History and Origins

Origin of cross-tolerance¹

First recorded in 1920–25

Example Sentences

The exact mechanism by which methadone works is not known, but it involves tolerance and cross-tolerance, or blockade.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive

Presumably because methadone works on the same brain centers as heroin, it induces a cross-tolerance to heroin and blocks its effects.

Read more on Time Magazine Archive