Pharmacology

Potency

The amount of drug required to produce a specified effect — usually reported as EC50.

Definition

Potency reflects how much of a compound is needed to elicit a given response. A more potent peptide achieves the same effect at a lower dose. Potency should not be confused with efficacy.

Related terms

EfficacyThe maximum biological effect a drug can produce at sufficient dose.
EC50The concentration producing 50% of a drug's maximum effect — a standard potency metric.
Binding AffinityHow tightly a ligand binds its receptor — typically expressed as Kd or Ki.

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