John R. Horn, PharmD, FCCP

Why are computerized drug-drug interaction alerts usually ignored?

Caffeine has relatively few drug interactions, but it is important to know that its interaction with clozapine can lead to toxicosis.

Non-cardioselective beta-blockers appear to pose the greatest risk to patients with asthma or COPD.

Proceed with caution: Some NSAIDs do reduce the efficacy of aspirin.

This triple therapy can increase the risk of acute renal failure.

A recent study offers encouraging new information on hemorrhage risk.

Pharmacoenhancers can help minimize costs and maximize effectiveness.

In the case of severe but infrequent interactions, pharmacist awareness is key.

It is difficult to account for all the variables that factor into interactions.

Interactions with this tyrosine kinase inhibitor arise due to its pharmacokinetic characteristics.

When evidence is lacking for a specific interaction, an analysis of the underlying mechanism is warranted.

Clinically significant drug interactions for goldenseal provide evidence for cautious use of this popular herbal product.

Movement-related adverse events are not uncommon in patients taking metoclopramide.

Yohimbine is available by prescription or in herbal supplements and its interactions include inhibiting the effects of antihypertensives.

The extent to which patients metabolize enzymes can have a big impact on the effectiveness of their pharmacologic therapy.

Polypharmacy is often a factor in the adverse events that elders experience.

Patients taking methotrexate who also take certain medications for gastric problems must time their dosage carefully.

As more patients begin medication regimens that include rivaroxaban, pharmacists should be aware of its known interactions.

In this unusual interaction, oral contraceptives act as the precipitant rather than the object drug.

Pharmacists should be familiar with drugs that impact the activity of the enzyme cytochrome P450 2C8.

Adjusting a drug's dosage to prevent an anticipated interaction is a tactic fraught with potential dangers.

Recent FDA actions regarding simvastatin mean that pharmacists should refresh their knowledge of this cholesterol-lowering medication.

When contradictory data are presented regarding a drug interaction, pharmacists should weigh the evidence ad make their own decisions.

Rivastigmine is a cholinesterase inhibitor that can interact with other drugs to cause potentially dangerous cardiovascular side effects.

Pharmacists must consider the potentially prolonged onset and offset of drug interactions when enzyme induction or deinduction is involved.

Initial research findings sometimes diminish over time. Does this phenomenon apply to drug interactions?