Drug Interaction: A Common Perspective

Abstract

Drug Interaction is a very much explored concept and has a considerable impact on drug therapy management. When patient is prescribed with multiple drugs usually more than ten simultaneously, the risk of drug interaction increases and also the related adverse event. In this chapter we have tried to provide an over view of drug interactions, its effects, mechanisms and possible management with various examples. The possibility of completely eliminating the risk of drug interaction will remain unachievable and therefore it is necessary to provided best possible management with least possible adverse effect on patient without compromising the treatment. In this chapter the drug interaction is classified in two general categories, first one is Clinically significant and second one is those which are Clinically non-significant. Further the mechanism of drug interaction can be classified primarily into Pharmacokinetic and Pharmacodynamic interactions. The risk of associated adverse effect of drug interaction can be graded with severity that could be Major, Moderate and Minor. The management provided for these interactions can be done in the form of Alternative therapy introduction, Dosage adjustment, change in timing and frequency of the drug and either addition or removal of drug. The possible outcome with appropriate management of drug interaction could be, Complete or partial removal of side effect of the drugs, prevention of occurrence of drug interaction effects which are clinically significant and probably no effect at all on the patient.