drug interactions Flashcards
define drug interaction
modification of a drug’s effect by prior or concomitant administration of another drug/herb/food/drink
occurs when the pharmacological effect of 2 or more drugs given together isnt just a direct function of their individual effects
aren’t always detrimental
type of drug interactions
drug-drug herbal-drug food-drug drink-drug pharmacogenetic interactions
the object drug
the drug whose activity is affected by the interaction
the precipitant
the agent which precipitates such an interaction
factors that can modify drug action
food, smoking, alcohol and herbs as well as other drugs
epidemiology of drug-drug interactions
2.3-3.0% of hospital patients
9.2-70% of GP patients
significant interactions - 1%
drugs involved with serious interactions
potent with a narrow therapeutic index - small change in blood levels can induce profound toxicity
e.g. lithium, digoxin, warfarin, erythromycin
foods that interact with warfarin
vegetables: asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, onions
herbals: ginseng, green tea
misc: avocado, fish oils, liver
susceptible patients to drug-drug interactions (5)
- polypharmacy
- elderly and young
- critically ill
- undergoing complicated surgical procedures
- chronic conditions: liver disease, renal impairment, diabetes, epilepsy, asthma
mechanism of drug interactions (3)
pharmaceutical
pharmacokinetic
pharmacodynamic
pharmacokinetic drug interactions
ADME
one drug can alter the ADME of another drug
there is marked inter-individual variation in these processes - possible to predict potential interactions but not in which patient
types of pharmacodynamic interactions (5)
antagonistic
additive/synergistic
interactions due to changes in drug transport
interactions due to fluid and electrolyte disturbance
indirect interactions
mechanisms of absorption interactions (4)
formation of insoluble complexes
altered pH
altered bacterial flora
altered gut motility
absorption interactions: interaction in the GI tract
- complex
- most interactions result in changes in absorption rate (rather than extent of absorption)
delayed absorption is important when a drug has a short half life or when we want high plasma levels rapidly
moset interactions result in delay in absorption and can be avoided if 2-4 hrs are left between administration of the drugs
absorption interactions: drug binding in the GI tract
some drugs bind to each other in the GI tract
e.g. tetracycline and erythromycin complex bind with Fe, Ca and Mg
cholestyramine resin used to bind cholesterol in the GI tract also binds to a variety of drugs e.g. warfarin