Dictionary

Synergism refers to the interaction of two or more substances, agents, or factors whose sum result in effect greater than the sum of their individual effects. In other words, the combined effect of the substances is greater than expected if each acted independently.

Synergism can occur in various fields, including pharmacology, toxicology, and biology. In the context of pharmacology, synergism refers to the interaction between two or more drugs that results in an increased therapeutic effect compared to what would be expected if each drug was given alone. For example, the combination of two antibiotics may produce a more potent effect against a particular bacterial infection than the drug given alone.

In toxicology, synergism refers to the interaction between two or more toxic substances that results in a greater toxic effect than expected if each substance was present alone. This can occur when the toxic substances interact to enhance each other’s toxicity, making the combined exposure more hazardous than either substance alone.

It is important to note that synergism can also occur negatively, resulting in an effect that is less than the sum of their individual effects, referred to as antagonism. Studying synergistic interactions is important for understanding the potential benefits and risks of combining different substances and developing effective treatments for various conditions.