Interactions

Interactions are the effects that result when the actions of one object come into contact with another. In the context of medicine, interactions often refer to the effects that occur when two or more drugs are used together. These interactions can be beneficial, neutral, or harmful.

Types of Interactions

There are three main types of interactions in medicine: drug-drug interactions, drug-food interactions, and drug-disease interactions.

Drug-Drug Interactions

Drug-drug interactions occur when two or more drugs react with each other. This drug-drug interaction can cause you to experience an unexpected side effect. For example, if you take a sedative drug and an antihistamine at the same time, you may get excessively drowsy because both medications can cause drowsiness.

Drug-Food Interactions

Drug-food interactions happen when drugs react with foods or beverages. For example, if you drink alcohol while taking a sedative, you may experience extreme drowsiness or other harmful effects.

Drug-Disease Interactions

Drug-disease interactions occur when a drug worsens a disease or condition. For example, certain medications can worsen glaucoma or high blood pressure.

Preventing Interactions

To prevent harmful interactions, it's important to manage your medications carefully. Here are some tips:

• Keep a list of all your medications and share it with your doctor and pharmacist.
• Be aware of potential interactions with your medications.
• Don't mix prescription drugs with over-the-counter drugs without talking to your doctor.
• Don't mix drugs with alcohol.
• Take your medications as directed.

See Also

• Pharmacology
• Pharmacodynamics
• Pharmacokinetics

References

Interactions Resources
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