potency

Pronunciation: pō′tĕnt-sē

Definition:

1. Power, force, or strength; the condition or quality of being potent.
2. Specifically, sexual potency.
3. In therapeutics, the relative pharmacologic activity of a dose of a compound compared with the dose of a different agent producing the same effects (aspirin and acetaminophen are of equal potency in alleviating headache [same dose required], but ketorolac exhibits greater potency than ibuprofen, given that 20 mg of the former is as effective as 400 mg of the latter).

[L. potentia, power]

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