Measuring therapeutic effects involves evaluating both the efficacy and the safety of a substance. Efficacy refers to the ability of a drug to produce the desired therapeutic outcome, often assessed through clinical trials. Safety is determined by examining the side effect profile and potential toxicity of the substance. The therapeutic index, a ratio comparing the toxic dose to the therapeutic dose, is a critical metric in determining the safety margin of a drug. A higher therapeutic index indicates a greater margin of safety, which is crucial in drug development and clinical practice.
