Drug interactions
Drug Interactions
Drug interactions (pronunciation: /drʌɡ ɪntərˈakʃənz/) refer to the phenomenon where a drug's effects are altered by the presence of another drug, food, drink, or some environmental chemical agents.
Etymology
The term "drug interaction" is derived from the English words "drug" (from Old French "drogue") and "interaction" (from Latin "interactio").
Definition
A drug interaction is a situation in which a substance affects the activity of a drug when both are administered together. This action can be synergistic (when the drug's effect is increased) or antagonistic (when the drug's effect is decreased) or a new effect can be produced that neither produces on its own. Typically, interactions between drugs come to mind (drug-drug interaction). However, interactions may also exist between drugs and foods (drug-food interactions), as well as drugs and herbs (drug-herb interactions).
Types of Drug Interactions
There are several types of drug interactions including:
- Pharmacodynamic interaction: This occurs when two drugs given together act at the same or similar receptor site and lead to a greater (additive or synergistic) effect or a decreased (antagonist) effect.
- Pharmacokinetic interaction: This occurs when the rate of absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of one drug is altered by another drug.
- Drug-food interaction: This occurs when food and drink interfere with the way a drug is used within the body.
- Drug-herb interaction: This occurs when a drug interacts with a herbal medicine, leading to changes in the pharmacological activity of the drug.
Related Terms
- Synergism: The interaction of two or more agents or forces so that their combined effect is greater than the sum of their individual effects.
- Antagonism: The interaction of two or more substances such that the action of any one of them on living cells or organisms is lessened.
- Pharmacodynamics: The study of the biochemical and physiological effects of drugs and the mechanisms of their actions.
- Pharmacokinetics: The process by which a drug is absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and eliminated by the body.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Drug interactions
- Wikipedia's article - Drug interactions
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