Drug Drug Interactions Flashcards
What is a drug interaction
The modification of a drugs effect by prior or concomitant administration of another Drug, Herb, Foodstuff, Drink
When does a drug interaction occur
When the pharmacological effect of two or more drugs given together is not just a direct function of their individual effects
What type of drug interactions can occur
Drug - drug interactions Herbal - drug interactions Food - drug interactions Drink - drug interactions Pharmacogenetic interactions
What is an object drug
The drug whose activity is effected by such an Interaction
What is a precipitant
The agent which precipitates such an interaction
What factors can also modify drug action
Smoking
Alcohol
When are drug interactions not detrimental
The treatment of hypertension
The treatment of Parkinsonism with carbidopa and levadopa
What is carbidopa
A dopa decarboxylase inhibitor and prevents the systemic side effects from levadopa
How many patients are affected by detrimental interactions in hospitals
2.2-30%
How many patients are affected by detrimental interactions in GP’s
9.2-70%
Name some drugs involved with serious interactions
Erythromicin Clarithromicin Warfarin Gentamicin SSRI Lithium Digoxin
What are some patient specific factors that can affect DDI’s
Advanced age
Genetic polymorphioms
Concomitant diseases
What are some drug specific factors that can affect DDI’s
Polypharmacy
Narrow therapeutic range
Dose
What are some other factors that can affect DDI’s
Multiple prescribing physcians
Self prescribing
What do drugs involved in serious interactions have in common
They are all potent with a narrow therapeutic index
So a small change in blood levels can induce profound toxicity
What can prevent drug toxicity
Therapeutic drug monitoring
What foods can interact with warfarin
Asparagus Broccoli Brussel sprouts Lettuce Onions Avocado Fish oils Green tea
What pateints are susceptible to DDI’s
Elderly
Young
Critically ill
Patients undergoing complicated surgical procedures
What increases the probability of DDI’s
Increases exponentially with the number of medicaments
What type of chronic conditions can make patients susceptible to DDI’s
Liver disease Renal impairment Diabetes mellitus Epilepsy Asthma
What are the mechanisms of drug interactions
Pharmaceutical
Pharmacokinetic
What pharmacokinetic interactions can a drug alter
Absorption
Distribution
Metabolism
Elimination
What kind of pharmacodynamic interactions are there
Antagonistic Interactions
Additive or synergistic interactions
Interactions due to changes in drug transport
Interactions due to fluid and electrolyte disturbances
Indirect pharmacodynamic interactions
Why can potential interactions be predicted
As there is marked inter-individual variation in the ADME processes
What cannot be predicted
Who will have a clinically significant interaction
What mechanisms can be used to disrupt absorption interactions
Formation of insoluble complexes
Altered pH
Altered bacterial flora
Altered GIT motility
What do most type of DDI’s involving absorption result in
Changes in absorption rate rather than the extent of absorption
When is delayed absorption important
When a drug has a short half life or when we want high plasma levels rapidly