Which term is defined as the effect of one drug increasing the effect of another drug?

Which term is defined as the effect of one drug increasing the effect of another drug?

• A. Potentiation
• B. Synergism
• C. Toxicity
• D. Anaphylaxis

Answer: (A)

Potentiation means one drug increases the effect of another drug, even if the first drug by itself doesn’t have a strong effect. The idea is that the interaction enhances the second drug’s action, often by raising its concentration in the body or by making its target more responsive, without the potentiating drug adding its own big therapeutic effect. That’s why this term fits: the emphasis is on boosting the second drug’s effect rather than both drugs contributing their own effects. Synergism, by contrast, describes two drugs whose combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects, usually because both contribute to the outcome. Toxicity refers to harmful effects from a drug, and anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.

Potentiation means one drug increases the effect of another drug, even if the first drug by itself doesn’t have a strong effect. The idea is that the interaction enhances the second drug’s action, often by raising its concentration in the body or by making its target more responsive, without the potentiating drug adding its own big therapeutic effect. That’s why this term fits: the emphasis is on boosting the second drug’s effect rather than both drugs contributing their own effects.

Synergism, by contrast, describes two drugs whose combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects, usually because both contribute to the outcome. Toxicity refers to harmful effects from a drug, and anaphylaxis is a severe, life-threatening allergic reaction.