19/09/2025
Drug interaction
A drug interaction occurs when two or more substances (drugs, supplements, foods, or alcohol) affect each other’s action in the body. This can cause:
• Reduced effectiveness
• Increased side effects
• Unexpected reactions
• Serious harm (in some cases)
📚 Types of Drug Interactions
1. Drug–Drug Interactions
When two or more prescription or over-the-counter medications interact.
Example:
💊 Warfarin + Aspirin
→ Increased risk of bleeding
2. Drug–Food Interactions
When food or drink alters the effect of a drug.
Example:
🍊 Grapefruit juice + Statins (e.g., Atorvastatin)
→ Raises drug levels → risk of side effects like muscle damage.
3. Drug–Alcohol Interactions
Alcohol can enhance or interfere with drug effects.
Example:
🍷 Alcohol + Benzodiazepines (e.g., Diazepam)
→ Increased drowsiness, slowed breathing → dangerous!
4. Drug–Supplement (Herbal) Interactions
Supplements or herbs can interact with medications.
Example:
🌿 St. John’s Wort + Antidepressants (e.g., SSRIs)
→ Risk of serotonin syndrome (potentially life-threatening).
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⚠️ Levels of Severity
Severity Meaning
Major Life-threatening or requires medical attention
Moderate May need dosage adjustment or monitoring
Minor Usually not clinically significant
🧪 How Interactions Happen
1. Pharmacokinetic (How the body affects the drug)
• Absorption – one drug might prevent another from being absorbed
• Metabolism – one drug may speed up or slow down the liver enzymes that process another drug
2. Pharmacodynamic (How drugs affect the body)
• Drugs may enhance or block each other’s effects
✅ How to Prevent Drug Interactions
• Tell your doctor/pharmacist about ALL medications, including:
• Prescription drugs
• OTC drugs
• Supplements
• Herbs
• Use one pharmacy if possible (they can track your meds)
• Check labels and instructions
• Avoid self-medicating or mixing drugs without guidance.
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