What term refers to the combined effect of drugs being greater than their individual effects?

The term that refers to the combined effect of drugs being greater than their individual effects is synergism. In pharmacology, synergism occurs when two or more substances work together in such a way that their combined effect is more potent than what would be expected from simply adding their individual effects. This can happen because the drugs may enhance each other's actions, target different pathways, or have complementary mechanisms, leading to a greater overall therapeutic effect.

For instance, in various medical treatments, combining medications that work via different mechanisms can lead to improved outcomes in managing diseases compared to using each drug alone. Understanding this concept is vital for optimizing pharmacotherapy and achieving the best therapeutic results in clinical settings.