Adverse Drug Interactions

The prescription of two or more drugs for simultaneous use by a patient always raises the possibility that one of those drugs will affect the intensity and duration of effect of the others, and can introduces the possibility of serious side effects occurring. This book provides a convenient, user-friendly approach to this problem, providing information on potential adverse affects by drug class. By establishing a system of grading throughout the book and appropriate coding through the use of special icons, the authors highlight immediately to the reader those interactions that are likely to give rise to life-threatening reactions and must therefore be completely avoided in addition to other, less threatening but nonetheless important interactions to be aware of. Presented in tabular form for ease of reference, the book also provides a brief summary of the mechanism underlying a particular interaction, alternative drugs lacking the same reactions that may be considered and instructions for monitoring patients when adverse affects may occur. All advice is supported by the appropriate evidence, graded according to a universally accepted system. Drug naming follows the recommendations of INN. Throughout, interactions with OTC medications, herbal remedies and dietary supplements are also considered.