When 2 or even more drugs are taken at the same time a drug interaction may come up. These kinds of interactions can easily also arise between pharmaceutical drugs and herbal medications or even between drugs and meals. The greater the number of drugs and/or herbs taken the greater the possibility of interactions.
What are drug interactions?
An interaction is a commonly unwanted result of combining 2 or perhaps more chemicals within your body. At times it involves the result of direct chemical relationships (such as when two chemicals combine to create a third and unplanned chemical) and occasionally it relates towards the impact on our bodies brought on by treatment with more compared to a single drug at a period, like 2 drugs affecting the same system, even though the drugs don't by alone combine to produce however another drug. Drug associations are very common and while many simply have only minor effects these people can become really dangerous, even lethal.
Drug relationships are usually characterised by 1 of two general effects. One involves the drugs enhancing their effects (that is potentiating or working together to just have a more powerful action). With regard to example, drugs which are used to thin the blood and reduce the possibility that the blood will clot (anticoagulants) are frequently affected by this kind of condition. Combined treatments will work together and the blood could become so thin that bleeding was able to occur and it would be difficult regarding the blood to form a clot to give up the bleeding. 1 example would end up being taking aspirin while being treated with heparin since both are known anticoagulants. There are also herbs that have an anticoagulant reaction and these types of may interact with medical anticoagulants. These types of herbs include cayenne and ginger which are specific herbal anticoagulants. There are other herbs and vitamins which simply have an anticoagulant response - these include ginkgo biloba, garlic and vitamin E. The other general reaction obviously is just the reverse. This particular involves the drugs working against each other causing them to be less effective.
How do the drug associations occur?
There are many ways which the associations can easily take put. The main ways are covered below.
Physical or chemical incompatibility - This often occurs when drugs are mixed in the liquid form. If there is item incompatibility after that there is often a precipitate - solid parts start forming in the mixture. An example is diazepam (Valium) - a common sedative. In the liquid form it won't mix nicely with h2o. This particular is a physical incompatibility. With a chemical incompatibility a chemical effect can come up which alters the drug. With regard to example, the liquid form of penicillin (an antibiotic) will end up being inactivated if it is mixed with aminoglycosides (another group of antibiotics) such as streptomycin.
However, this kind of kind of chemical incompatibility may be beneficial. With regard to example, the drug action of these blood thinner heparin may end up being reversed by the drug protamine, a drug which binds to and inactivates the heparin. Protamine is consequently used like a certain cure for a heparin overdose.
Interference from the absorption of nutrients in the digestive tract - The rate at which the stomach and intestines work may become affected by various drugs.
For example, when anti-nausea drugs such as metoclopramide (Maxolon, Pramin) are taken, they will speed up the rate at that the stomach empties. This kind of is important to understand if, for example, digitalis (a heart drug) is given as the time which it has to end up being absorbed in the stomach is reduced and the effective dose will as a result end up being lower. In case your stomach emptying time is lowered, regarding example, with propantheline (an antispasmodic drug) the time spent in the stomach, and hence the absorption of digitalis, will end up being increased.
Changing of drug metabolism - Several drugs can stimulate the breaking down of other drugs in the liver.
For example, barbiturates (anti-anxiety sedatives) are known to do this particular. When barbiturates are given with oral anticoagulants (blood thinners) after that the dose of the blood thinners needs to become increased because of the rate at which these people will be broken down in the liver. There are tons examples of where a single drug will affect the rate at which another drug is broken down.
Drugs that affect the same body system - This is where 2 drugs simply have an reaction, which may end up being intended or perhaps otherwise, on the same body system.
For example, drugs which dull the solutions of these brain. These include: alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives and pain killers. The effects of a single will tend to produce the other more powerful. This kind of may also work by a drug reducing the effect of one other drug. For example, drug doses of vitamin K works against the effects of oral blood thinners.
Drug and foods interactions - The importance of the associations should not end up being overlooked.
For example, Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (such as Phenelzine, Iproniazid, Tranylcypromine) are antidepressant drugs which interact with foods rich in tyramine. The result can easily become a rapid and prolonged rise in the blood pressure. Foods which just have to be avoided include: avocados, cheese, spirits and wine, pickled herring, beef extracts and broad beans. A few over-the-counter drugs like cold remedies and nasal decongestants can just have a similar interaction from the MAOIs.
The Unknown
There are many ways which drugs may interact with each other to either enhance or decrease their effect. This particular means that the way a medical drug will work in the body is somewhat unknown - especially if more than 1 or perhaps two medical drugs are used at the same moment. Medical drugs are toxic chemicals and contrary to popular opinion encouraged by drug prescribers and pharmaceutical companies alike, we frequently do not know or know the actual impact of the drugs upon the body.
When 2 or more drugs are taken, complex chemicals comprised of each drug plus the resulting effects of their combination are introduced towards the body - this means that your body has a lot of toxicity to eliminate. The best advice is to only take medical drugs if they are absolutely essential and after that only take them with regard to as short a moment of moment as possible. In many/most cases alternatives to medical drugs are available. Alarmingly, many people are prescribed multiple drugs through the years and end up taking many more as compared to 2 drugs every day. It it a fact, nobody knows the actual effects this condition will result in but we do understand that avoidable illness and passing away are common outcomes.
Conclusion
It is perfect to work on improving your health and preventing the onset of disease. Ensure which your own body is as free of toxins because you can. Having said these kinds of objects though it is important that in the event you are not long ago taking medical drugs you should discuss possible affects with all your health professional. You can be wise to seek a 2nd opinion but do not just give up your own medication without specific professional advice.
References
Goyen, M. 2000, Guide to Medications: Including Prescription and Non-prescription Drugs. Watermark Press.
Iversen, L. 2001, Drugs. Oxford Press.
Society of Hospital Pharmacists of Australia. 2002, Pharmacology and Drug Information regarding Nurses. Saunders.