Absorption: Some drugs can alter the absorption of another drug into your bloodstream.Examples can help to explain these complicated mechanisms: A pharmacokinetic interaction may occur if one drug affects another drug’s absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion.For example, when chlorpromazine, sometimes used to help prevent nausea and vomiting, and haloperidol, an antipsychotic medication for schizophrenia, are given together there may be a greater risk for causing a serious, possibly fatal irregular heart rhythm. A pharmacodynamic interaction 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.For example, over-the-counter oral decongestants like pseudoephedrine (Sudafed) or phenylephrine (Sudafed PE) may increase blood pressure and can be dangerous if you have have high blood pressure.ĭrug interactions can occur in several different ways: Your existing medical condition can affect the way a drug works, too. Drug-disease interactions - Drug interactions don’t always occur with just other drugs or foods.
The result can be muscle pain, or even severe muscle injury known as rhabdomyolysis. This interaction can occur with the commonly used statins to lower cholesterol, like atorvastatin, lovastatin, or simvastatin.
Blood levels of an interacting drug may rise, leading to toxicity. For example, grapefruit juice can lower the levels of enzymes in your liver responsible for breaking down medications. This may seem odd, but certain medications can interact with foods or beverages. Drug-food/beverage interactions - You have probably seen the stickers on your prescription bottle to “ avoid grapefruit juice” at one time or another.For example, if you take a pain medication, like Vicodin, and a sedating antihistamine, such as Benadryl, at the same time you will have an additive amount of drowsiness as both medications cause this side effect.
Drug-drug interactions can decrease how well your medications work, may increase minor or serious unexpected side effects, or even increase the blood level and possible toxicity of a certain drug. The more medications you take, the greater the chance for your drug interacting with another medicine.
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