The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) index as a measure of synergy.

The value of the FIC index as a predictor of synergy has been investigated using the antibacterial agents alafosfalin and cephalexin combined together with themselves in fully blind experiments. Under the conditions used, even weak interaction (FIC index 0.5-0.99) proved to be statistically highly significant. The use of such fully controlled blind studies would greatly enhance the credibility of many of the claims of synergy published in the literature. The representation of results as average isobolograms is only of value with combinations which show moderate to strong interaction.