What is it called when one drug enhances the action of another drug?

When one drug enhances the action of another drug, this phenomenon is known as potentiation. Potentiation occurs when the combined effect of two drugs taken together is greater than the sum of their individual effects. This can happen because one drug can increase the efficacy or potency of another drug, leading to amplified therapeutic effects or, in some cases, increased adverse effects.

For instance, if Drug A by itself has a certain effect, and Drug B increases that effect without having a significant effect on its own, the interaction is classified as potentiation. Understanding this concept is crucial for pharmacy technicians, as it directly relates to how combinations of medications can alter patient outcomes and create effective treatment plans.

In contrast, antagonism refers to a situation where one drug counteracts or diminishes the action of another. Synergism is a broader term that can describe any interaction where drugs work together, but it does not specifically imply that one drug enhances the effect of another. Interference can suggest a disruption in the pharmacokinetics or pharmacodynamics of a drug, but it does not specifically denote enhancement of action. Thus, the most accurate term for the scenario provided is potentiation.