Potentiation
Potentiation
Potentiation (pronunciation: poh-ten-shee-ay-shun) is a medical term that refers to the increase in strength or efficacy of a drug or a physiological response when its effect is enhanced by another substance.
Etymology
The term 'Potentiation' is derived from the Latin word 'potentia', meaning 'power'. In the medical context, it refers to the power of a substance to enhance the effect of another.
Definition
Potentiation is a pharmacological concept where the effect of one drug is increased by the presence of another drug. It is a form of drug interaction where one drug enhances the effect of another. The drug that is potentiated has an increased effect, which can be beneficial in some cases, but can also lead to adverse effects if not properly managed.
Related Terms
- Synergism: A situation where the combined effect of two or more drugs is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
- Antagonism: The opposite of potentiation, where one drug reduces the effect of another.
- Pharmacodynamics: The study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and their mechanisms of action.
- Pharmacokinetics: The study of how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolizes, and excretes drugs.
Clinical Significance
Potentiation is an important concept in pharmacology and medicine. It is used in the development of drug combinations to enhance therapeutic effects. For example, the potentiation of analgesics can provide better pain relief. However, potentiation can also lead to increased toxicity or adverse effects, so it must be carefully considered in drug therapy.
See Also
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Potentiation
- Wikipedia's article - Potentiation
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