Which term describes the maximum response achievable with a drug?

Which term describes the maximum response achievable with a drug?

• A. Efficacy
• B. Potency
• C. Affinity
• D. Bioavailability

Answer: (A)

Efficacy refers to the maximum response that can be achieved with a drug, regardless of the dose administered. This concept is crucial in pharmacology as it determines how effective a drug can be at producing its desired therapeutic effect when fully activated. Efficacy indicates the inherent capability of a drug to elicit a biological response when it binds to its target, which could be a receptor, enzyme, or other biological molecule. In contrast, potency relates to the amount of drug needed to produce a specific effect; a drug with higher potency will require a lower dose to achieve an effect compared to a less potent drug. Affinity describes how strongly a drug binds to its target, which can affect both potency and efficacy. Bioavailability refers to the proportion of the drug that enters the circulation when introduced into the body and is available for action, which is separate from the drug's capacity to exert its maximum effect. Thus, when considering the maximum achievable response from a drug, efficacy is the appropriate term to use.

Efficacy refers to the maximum response that can be achieved with a drug, regardless of the dose administered. This concept is crucial in pharmacology as it determines how effective a drug can be at producing its desired therapeutic effect when fully activated. Efficacy indicates the inherent capability of a drug to elicit a biological response when it binds to its target, which could be a receptor, enzyme, or other biological molecule.

In contrast, potency relates to the amount of drug needed to produce a specific effect; a drug with higher potency will require a lower dose to achieve an effect compared to a less potent drug. Affinity describes how strongly a drug binds to its target, which can affect both potency and efficacy. Bioavailability refers to the proportion of the drug that enters the circulation when introduced into the body and is available for action, which is separate from the drug's capacity to exert its maximum effect.

Thus, when considering the maximum achievable response from a drug, efficacy is the appropriate term to use.