What condition does a high therapeutic index indicate?

A high therapeutic index indicates a greater safety margin for the drug. The therapeutic index is the ratio between the toxic dose and the therapeutic dose of a medication. A higher therapeutic index signifies that there is a larger separation between the effective dose and the dose that could cause toxicity. This means that there is a wider safety margin, allowing for more flexibility in dosing without risking harmful side effects.

Medications with a high therapeutic index are generally considered safer because the likelihood of reaching a toxic level is lower compared to those with a low therapeutic index, where dosing must be managed more carefully to avoid adverse effects. Thus, a drug with a high therapeutic index can be more dependable in clinical use, making it safer for patients.