Medicine Interaction

Written by docteam Friday, 05 March 2010 16:46

Many reports of medicine interactions in man are anecdotal and bear little scientific weight. There are other reports of animal and test-tube studies that are not reproducible in man. Some interactions have little clinical significance because the medicines involved do not have major effects alone or in combination, or the increase or decrease in effects is relatively insignificant on a flat dose-response curve.

There are so many possibilities for medicine interaction that it is perhaps surprising and fortunate that relatively few have major clinical significance. The major clinical interactions probably involve alterations in the rate of metabolism of one medicine by another and the additive effect of a number of medicines with similar properties. A medicine may interfere with the renal clearance of another medicine or may compete with another medicine at receptor sites.

Specific examples that appear relevant because of their frequency or because they are potentially hazardous are described under the individual medicines. Special attention should be given to medicines that are taken for long periods of time, to preparations sold over the counter, and to medicines with potentially dangerous therapeutic effects,e.g.,the anticoagulants and hypoglycemic agents.