Interactions- Readdressing the issue

Abstract

Broadly drugs include all the chemical substances excluding food that affect the bodily processes. The drug is considered to be a medicine if it benefits the body. Whereas, if the drug is injurious to the body, it’s considered as a poison. Therefore, the same chemical can be a boon or curse with respect to the situation, condition of use, dosage and the individual using it. In this contemporary healthcare era, a huge number of medications are formulated each year and new interactions between drugs are reported every now and then. As a result, it is no more practical for doctors to be dependent on the memory alone to avoid possible drug interactions. Changes in absorption, distribution, metabolism or elimination of drugs are referred to as pharmacokinetic interactions, resulting in alteration in the level of drugs and its metabolites. The effect of drug changes from person to person than expected because it causes different reaction when a drug reacts with the food or dietary supplements they take (drug -food interaction). So, the effect of the drug is altered by means of increasing, decreasing, or producing a new effect which cannot be produced on its own the effect caused by food or dietary supplements. These interactions may occur due to accidental misuse or due to other factors such as lack of knowledge about it. This review provides a comprehensive literature review on various drug interaction. Generally, drug food interactions are neglected and not well defined but it can cause mild to serious effects. However, all clinicians, pharmacists and nurses should be aware of drug interaction to avoid the consequences caused by drug interactions.