What is the term for a potentially dangerous combination of medications that results in increased side effects or decreased effectiveness?

The term "drug interaction" refers to a potentially dangerous combination of medications that can lead to increased side effects, decreased effectiveness, or both. When two or more drugs are used together, they can interact in ways that alter their effects. This can occur through various mechanisms, such as one drug affecting the metabolic pathways of another, leading to either toxic levels of a drug or a reduction in therapeutic effect. Understanding drug interactions is crucial for medication management, as it helps healthcare providers ensure that patients receive safe and effective treatment regimens.

The other terms do not accurately encapsulate the concept of a dangerous combination of medications. An allergic reaction refers specifically to a hypersensitive immune response to a medication, which is not necessarily a result of combining multiple drugs. An adverse reaction is a broader term that indicates any harmful or unintended response to a drug, but does not specifically imply a combination effect. Lastly, an antagonistic effect describes a situation where two substances work against each other, potentially diminishing their effectiveness, but it does not necessarily indicate that side effects are increased or that the combination is dangerous in a broader sense.