Publication: Understanding the essentials of drug interactions: A potential need for safe and effective use of drugs
Date
2007
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
Drug interactions (DIs) represent an important and widely under recognized source of medication errors. An
interaction is said to occur when the effects of one drug are changed by the presence of another drug(s), food, drink
or an environmental chemical. When a therapeutic combination could lead to an unexpected change in the condition
of the patient, this would be described as an interaction of potential clinical significance. DIs can arise in numerous
ways; such as pharmacodynamic interaction, in which receptor effects of different agents interacts to produce
synergy or antagonism of drug effects. In pharmacokinetic interaction, the blood levels of given agents may be
raised or lowered based on the type of interaction. Special attention and thorough monitoring is needed for the
patients who are predisposed to develop DIs and those on drugs with narrow therapeutic index. DIs can be a very
important contributory factor for the occurrence of adverse drug reactions and adverse drug events. DIs monitoring
programs should be initiated and strengthened in order to minimize their occurrence. Herbal drug interactions and
DIs comprising over the counter medicines should also be considered seriously.
Key words: Drug interaction, Herbal drug interactions, Drug interaction monitoring, Over the counter medications
Description
Bista D 1 , Palaian S 2, Shankar PR 3, Prabhu MM 4, Paudel R5, Mishra P6
1 Post Graduate Student, 2,5 Lecturers, 6 Assistant Professors, 4Associate Professor, Manipal College of Medical Sciences, Pokhara, Nepal, 3 Assistant Professor, Department of Medicine, Kasturba Hospital, Manipal, Karnataka, India