What is the term used to describe the interaction where two drugs work together to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects?

Study for the Materica Medica and Pharmacology Clinic Entry Exam. Prepare with flashcards and multiple choice questions, each with hints and explanations. Ace your exam!

The correct term for the interaction where two drugs work together to produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects is synergism. In pharmacology, synergism occurs when the combined effect of two substances is greater than the addition of their individual effects. This can often lead to enhanced therapeutic outcomes and is an important consideration in drug development and clinical practice.

For instance, if Drug A has an effect of 2 and Drug B has an effect of 3 when used alone, a synergistic interaction might result in a combined effect of 6 when used together, rather than the expected 5. This can occur through various mechanisms, including enhancement of absorption, greater receptor activation, or additive physiological pathways.

The other options describe different interactions. Antagonism refers to a situation where one drug counteracts the effect of another, inhibition generally relates to the reduction of a drug's effect, and potentiation is a specific form of synergism where one drug enhances the effect of another, but does not necessarily produce a greater effect on its own. This helps clarify why synergism is the most appropriate term for the interaction described in the question.

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