Partial agonists have which of the following characteristics?

Partial agonists are unique compounds that bind to receptors and activate them to a lesser degree compared to full agonists. This means that while they do stimulate the receptor, they do so only partially, resulting in a response that is weaker than that produced by a full agonist.

This characteristic makes partial agonists valuable in various clinical scenarios, as they can provide some level of receptor activity without producing the maximum effect that could lead to adverse reactions often associated with full agonists. They may be useful in cases where a balance is needed, such as reducing withdrawal symptoms while not fully activating the receptor to avoid intense effects.

The other characteristics mentioned in the options do not accurately describe partial agonists. They do not completely stimulate receptors, which would be the case for full agonists. While they do bind to receptors, stating that they do not activate them would apply to antagonists rather than partial agonists. Lastly, the capability of reversing the effects of full agonists is more representative of competitive antagonists. Thus, the correct choice aligns closely with the defining properties of partial agonists as only providing partial stimulation.