Step-by-step explanation:
Tolerance, antagonism, and synergism are terms used to describe different types of drug interactions. Here's a brief differentiation between these terms:
1. Tolerance: Tolerance refers to a reduced response to a drug following repeated or prolonged use. With tolerance, the body becomes less responsive to the effects of a drug, and higher doses may be required to achieve the desired therapeutic effect. Tolerance can develop to various aspects of drug action, such as the intended therapeutic effects or unwanted side effects.
2. Antagonism: Antagonism occurs when two drugs interact in a way that reduces or inhibits the effect of one or both drugs. In drug antagonism, the combined effect of the drugs is less than what would be expected based on their individual effects. This can happen through various mechanisms, such as blocking the action of a drug receptor, competing for binding sites, or directly counteracting the effects of another drug.
3. Synergism: Synergism, also known as potentiation, happens when the combined effect of two or more drugs is greater than the sum of their individual effects. In other words, the drugs work together to produce a more significant effect than they would have individually. Synergistic interactions can occur through various mechanisms, such as enhancing drug absorption, increasing drug concentration, or targeting different pathways to achieve a more substantial therapeutic effect.
In the context of selecting the drug interaction that occurs during antagonism, the focus would be on identifying the interaction where the combined effect of two drugs is reduced or inhibited compared to their individual effects.