What is a synergistic interaction of two drugs?

Abstract

Synergy is derived from the Greek word σuvεργóζ meaning working together. In pharmacological terms it has a precise meaning, which is distinct from interaction between two or more active substances where the interaction may be on the absorption, distribution, metabolism or excretion of one or more of the substances. For a synergistic therapeutic effect to occur there need not necessarily be an interaction of this type but the effect should be to the patient’s therapeutic advantage.

Historically, the seeking for the universal panacea or cure for all ills has to some extent hinged on the philosophy of empirical polypharmacy. This can be traced back to philosophies such as that evolved by Mithridates VI, King of Pontus 133 B.C.-63 B.C. (see Griffin 1994). Pontus abounded in medicinal plants and Mithridates acquired considerable knowledge of them. Like every despot of that period he lived in fear of being assassinated by poisoning, in consequence of which he sought the universal antidote to all poisons. Mithridates proceeded along a simple line of reasoning. Having investigated the powers of a number of single ingredients, which he found to be the antidote to various venoms and poisons individually, he evaluated them experimentally on condemned criminals. He then compounded all the effective substances into one antidote hoping thereby to produce universal protection. A daily dose was taken prophylactically to give the immunity he sought.

Keywords

• Duodenal Ulcer
• Diabetic Neuropathy
• Ulcer Healing
• Sodium Valproate
• Dihydrofolate Reductase

These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.

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Authors

1. J. P. Griffin

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2. P. F. D’Arcy

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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

1. School of Pharmacy, The Queen’s University of Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL, Belfast, N. Ireland

   Professor emerit. Patrick F. D’Arcy OBE, Ph.D., D.Sc.

2. Director, School of Pharmacy, The Queen’s University of Belfast, Medical Biology Centre, 97 Lisburn Road, BT9 7BL, Belfast, N. Ireland

   Professor James C. McElnay Ph.D.

3. Vice President, Pharmacokinetics and Drug Metabolism, Parke-Davis Pharmaceutical Research, 2800 Plymouth Road, MI 48105, Ann Arbor, USA

   Peter G. Welling Ph.D., D.Sc.

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© 1996 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg

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Griffin, J.P., D’Arcy, P.F. (1996). Synergistic Drug Interactions. In: D’Arcy, P.F., McElnay, J.C., Welling, P.G. (eds) Mechanisms of Drug Interactions. Handbook of Experimental Pharmacology, vol 122. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-61015-8_8

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