Drug interactions can really change how medicines work in our bodies. This can affect how well patients do, especially through four main processes: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (we can call this ADME).
Absorption: When we take different medicines together, they can change how our bodies absorb them. For example, if someone takes antacids to help with stomach issues, it can change the stomach acid. This could make it much harder for another medicine, like ketoconazole, to get absorbed. In fact, it might reduce its absorption by up to 90%!
Distribution: Some medicines stick to proteins in our blood. This is known as protein binding. Take warfarin, for instance; it sticks to proteins about 99% of the time. If a person then takes another medicine that also sticks to proteins, like phenytoin, it could push warfarin off that protein. This means there would be more free warfarin in the body, which can increase the risk of bleeding by 50%.
Metabolism: Our bodies break down medicines using something called Cytochrome P450 enzymes. If these enzymes get blocked, it can make the levels of the medicine rise too high. An example is when erythromycin interacts with statins. This can lead to a rise in statin levels, and the risk of muscle problems can increase—a tenfold increase in reports.
Excretion: How our bodies remove medicines can also change when we take drugs together. For example, medicines like NSAIDs can lower blood flow to the kidneys. This can make it hard for the kidneys to get rid of lithium, which can lead to dangerous levels in the body. This has been seen in about 30% of patients taking both medicines.
In summary, drug interactions are a big deal in medicine. They contribute to about 20% of hospital admissions. Because of this, it's super important to keep an eye on which medicines patients are taking to ensure they get the best care possible.
Drug interactions can really change how medicines work in our bodies. This can affect how well patients do, especially through four main processes: Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, and Excretion (we can call this ADME).
Absorption: When we take different medicines together, they can change how our bodies absorb them. For example, if someone takes antacids to help with stomach issues, it can change the stomach acid. This could make it much harder for another medicine, like ketoconazole, to get absorbed. In fact, it might reduce its absorption by up to 90%!
Distribution: Some medicines stick to proteins in our blood. This is known as protein binding. Take warfarin, for instance; it sticks to proteins about 99% of the time. If a person then takes another medicine that also sticks to proteins, like phenytoin, it could push warfarin off that protein. This means there would be more free warfarin in the body, which can increase the risk of bleeding by 50%.
Metabolism: Our bodies break down medicines using something called Cytochrome P450 enzymes. If these enzymes get blocked, it can make the levels of the medicine rise too high. An example is when erythromycin interacts with statins. This can lead to a rise in statin levels, and the risk of muscle problems can increase—a tenfold increase in reports.
Excretion: How our bodies remove medicines can also change when we take drugs together. For example, medicines like NSAIDs can lower blood flow to the kidneys. This can make it hard for the kidneys to get rid of lithium, which can lead to dangerous levels in the body. This has been seen in about 30% of patients taking both medicines.
In summary, drug interactions are a big deal in medicine. They contribute to about 20% of hospital admissions. Because of this, it's super important to keep an eye on which medicines patients are taking to ensure they get the best care possible.