PHARMACOKINETIC AND PHARMACODYNAMIC INTERACTIONS BETWEEN DRUGS AND FOOD

Lulzime Ballazhi, Edita Alili-Idrizi, Dorentina Bexheti, Arlinda Haxhiu-Zajmi, Drita Havziu

Abstract

Drug interactions occur when the effect of one drug changes because of the drug interacting with another drug, beverages, herbs, and foods. This interaction can be pharmaceutical, pharmacokinetic (increasing or decreasing the bioavailability of drugs), and pharmacodynamic (synergistic and antagonistic). Given the fact that most patients who are regular users of drugs are geriatric patients, the physiological changes that occur in this age group regarding the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs make it even more important to take care of giving drugs in effective doses, avoiding failure of therapy and overdose because of interactions that may occur. The most common and dangerous interactions are drug-drug interactions, but serious interactions have also been documented that could endanger patients' health even between medications with different foods. Therefore, there is a need for a higher awareness of medical staff in giving adequate advice to patients regarding drug interactions they use with certain foods. Some of the foods that give interactions with different drugs, and that are of clinical importance are foods rich in tyramine, histidine, vitamin K, protein, fats, and fiber; milk and milk products; grapefruit, St. John's wort, and caffeine.

Pages: 103 - 109