What does synergism refer to in pharmacology?

In pharmacology, synergism refers to the phenomenon where the combined effect of two drugs is greater than the sum of their individual effects. This means that when these two drugs are administered together, they enhance each other's effectiveness, resulting in a more potent therapeutic outcome compared to when each drug is given separately.

This concept is crucial in drug therapy as it can lead to improved efficacy with potentially lower doses of each drug, reducing the risk of side effects. For example, in treating certain conditions, such as infections or pain, combining drugs that work through different mechanisms can produce a stronger overall effect, which might be more effective than relying on a single drug.

The other options provided focus on other aspects of pharmacology. The study of drug interactions pertains to understanding how different drugs affect one another, which is broader than the specific concept of synergism. A scenario where two drugs yield a lesser combined effect than their individual actions describes antagonism, rather than synergism. Lastly, the method of drug administration relates to how drugs are delivered to the body, which does not describe the interaction or combined effects of drugs.