DRUG EFFICACY - refers to the drug’s ability to activate the receptor once it has bound to it

DRUG POTENCY – refers to the amount of drug needed to elicit a specific physiologic response to a drug

THERAPEUTIC INDEX (TI) – describe the relationship between therapeutic dose of a drug (ED50) and the
toxic dose of drug (TD50).

THERAPEUTIC EFFECT - Also referred as the DESIRED EFFECT (primary effect intended).

ADVERSE DRUG REACTION (ADR) – sometimes called adverse drug event (ADR)

- Study of ADR is called PHARMACOVIGILANCE

ALLERGIC REACTION – Unpredictable adverse drug effects; more serious

IDIOSYNCRATIC REACTIONS – An uncommon and abnormal response to drug

- Usually due to genetic abnormality