Which term refers to a combined stronger effect when two medicines are used together?

Which term refers to a combined stronger effect when two medicines are used together?

• A. Synergism
• B. Potentiation
• C. Antagonism
• D. Cumulation

Answer: (A)

When two medicines boost each other to produce a bigger effect than either would alone, that is called synergy. This means the total effect is greater than the sum of the two drugs’ individual effects due to complementary actions in the body. For example, some drug combinations improve pain relief more effectively than either drug by using different mechanisms to target the same symptom. This differs from potentiation, where one drug increases the effect of another drug that may have little or no effect by itself. It also differs from antagonism, where one drug reduces the effect of another, and from cumulation, which refers to drug buildup in the body with repeated dosing rather than an enhanced interaction between two drugs.

When two medicines boost each other to produce a bigger effect than either would alone, that is called synergy. This means the total effect is greater than the sum of the two drugs’ individual effects due to complementary actions in the body. For example, some drug combinations improve pain relief more effectively than either drug by using different mechanisms to target the same symptom.

This differs from potentiation, where one drug increases the effect of another drug that may have little or no effect by itself. It also differs from antagonism, where one drug reduces the effect of another, and from cumulation, which refers to drug buildup in the body with repeated dosing rather than an enhanced interaction between two drugs.