When two drugs taken together result in a more intense effect than when taken separately, this is called?

When two drugs are taken together and their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects, this phenomenon is referred to as synergy. In a synergistic interaction, the presence of one drug enhances the effect of the other, leading to a more intense effect overall. This principle is particularly relevant in pharmacology, as it can be harnessed for therapeutic benefits or, conversely, can pose risks if not managed properly.

Understanding synergy is crucial for healthcare professionals when considering drug combinations for treatments; it can help achieve desired outcomes more effectively or reduce the necessary dosage of each drug, potentially minimizing side effects. On the other hand, the concepts of antagonism, potentiation, and inhibition involve different types of interactions between drugs. Antagonism refers to drugs that counteract each other's effects, while potentiation involves one drug enhancing the effect of another, but not necessarily to the extent of full synergy. Inhibition typically refers to the reduction of a drug's effect due to the presence of another substance. Thus, synergy specifically emphasizes the greater-than-additive effect observed when the two drugs are combined.