Tag: Therapeutic index

Nobel laureate Paul Ehrlich introduced the concept of selective toxicity, his "magic bullet" theory, in the early 20th century, envisioning a chemical agent that could eliminate pathogens without damaging the host. This idea became the guiding principle for creating the safer and more effective medications we use today.

The core principle of antimicrobial therapy is selective toxicity, the ability of a drug to harm an invading microorganism without harming the host [1.2.4]. Understanding **what is meant by selective toxicity** is fundamental to developing safe and effective medications, from antibiotics to chemotherapy agents [1.2.6].