What term describes the effect when one drug increases the action of another drug, such as an anticoagulant and aspirin?

The correct term that describes the effect when one drug increases the action of another drug is synergism. When drugs exhibit synergistic effects, their combined action is greater than the sum of their individual effects. In the case of an anticoagulant and aspirin, both agents work to inhibit blood clotting, and when taken together, they enhance each other's effects, resulting in a more potent anticoagulant action compared to when either drug is used alone.

This synergistic interaction can be particularly important in clinical settings where maximizing therapeutic effects is desired, such as in the management of cardiovascular diseases. Understanding drug interactions is crucial for safe and effective medication administration.

In contrast, antagonism refers to the interaction where one drug decreases or inhibits the effects of another. Summation involves the combined effects of two drugs that do not enhance each other's actions but simply add up, while potentiation typically describes a situation where one drug enhances the effect of another in a way that is more than merely additive but can be distinct from synergism. In the context of the anticoagulant and aspirin, synergism is the most accurate descriptor of their interaction.