Of a medication or treatment: having a powerful effect upon the body. rare after 17th cent. Now historical.

Of a remedy, esp. a purgative: violent in effect; strong, powerful. Frequently (and now chiefly) figurative, designating something violent or…

Of a remedy: strong, powerful, efficacious. Obsolete.

Of drugs: Violent in action.

= effrenate, adj. b.

Medicine. Of medicines: Acting with force or violence, vigorous; esp. acting strongly upon the intestines.

transferred. Of things: Strong, powerful, violent.