To account for experimental data showing increased onset time with increased potency of neuromuscular blocking drugs, a pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic model is presented. It is characterized by a finite concentration of receptors (R) in the effect compartment. Transfer from central to effect compartment is linearly related to concentration gradient. A sigmoid Emax model is used to describe the relationship between receptor occupancy and effect. Plasma concentrations found in the literature are used. Differential equations are solved numerically for equipotent doses of drugs of different potencies. Because the density of receptors constitutes a significant drain of drug molecules for potent drugs, the model predicts an inverse relationship between speed of onset and potency. The concentration of receptors in the effect compartment R which best fits experimental data obtained in humans is 0.28 mumol/L. With this value of R, onset times are prolonged when the ED95 (dose for 95% blockade) is less than 0.1 mumol/kg. It is concluded that, in the development of a short-acting nondepolarizing neuromuscular blocking drug, agents having an ED95 of 0.1 mumol/kg or greater appear more promising.