Drug interactions
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A veterinarian is often posed with the necessity of treating a patient with more than one drug simultaneously. It is highly probable that one drug might affect the action of the other, the result of which may be beneficial or harmful to the patient. A clinician should possess adequate knowledge about such interactions to avoid any adverse effects.
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Synergism: It is the cooperation between two drugs where the presence of one drug facilitates or increases the action of the other. It can be of two types:
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Synergism – additive (1+1 = 2) the net effect is only the sum of the individual effects. eg. Aspirin + paracetamol ( analgesic + antipyretic), ephedrine + theophylline (bronchodilator)
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Supraadditive or potentiation (1+1 = 3) net effect is more than the sum of the individual effects
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Sulfonamide + trimethoprim ( bacteriostatic becomes bactericidal), Ach + physostigmine --- (inhibition of breakdown)
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Antagonism: Refers to a decrease or reversal of the pharmacologic response of one drug by another drug. The drug which antagonizes the action of one drug is called an antagonist. Antagonism is of the following types:
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Can be
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physical – based on physical property – adsorption of alkaloids by charcoal
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chemical – based on chemical property – antacids like NaHCO, chelating agents BAL, EDTA for heavy metals
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Physiological or functional
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Receptor antagonism – antagonist binds with the receptor and inhibits generation of response may be competitive or non competitive
Competitive and Non-competitive
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Last modified: Wednesday, 25 April 2012, 7:25 AM