Which term describes patients not responding to a medication?

• A. Synergism
• B. Refractory
• C. Side Effects
• D. Potentiation

Answer: (B)

Refractory describes a lack of response to a medication. It means the patient does not achieve the expected therapeutic effect despite appropriate dosing and administration, signaling resistance to that treatment and often prompting consideration of alternative therapies. This term is used across conditions to indicate that standard therapy isn’t working as hoped.

Synergism is when two drugs produce a greater combined effect than either would alone, which is the opposite of not responding. Side effects are unintended adverse effects of a drug. Potentiation is when one drug increases the effect of another, also increasing response rather than failing to respond.