Administering a drug of greater potency is better because drugs of greater potency do not require as high a dose.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The first part of the statement is false,the second part is true.The absolute potency of a drug is immaterial as long as the appropriate dose is administered.If equally efficacious,both drugs will produce the same effect.Both meperidine and morphine,for example,have the ability to treat severe pain,but approximately 100 mg of meperidine would be required to produce the same action as 10 mg of morphine.The dose of meperidine needed to produce pain relief is larger than that for morphine.Less potent drugs require higher doses to produce therapeutic effects whereas more potent drugs can reach toxic levels at lower doses.

Administering a Drug of Greater Potency Is Better Because Drugs