KNOWLEDGEBASE - ARTICLE #1332

What is the difference between an IC50 and an EC50 and an ED50?

The differences are just nomenclature, and not conceptual.

"EC" means effective concentration, and is used for dose-response curves that go up hill. Sometimes it is also used for a curve that goes downhill. 

"IC" means inhibitory concentration, so is used for dose-response curves that go downhill, because the drug inhibits a response. 

In both cases, "C" stands for concentration. In some experiments, you vary the administered dose, but don't know the effective concentration. In these cases, the midpoint is called the ED50.

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