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When multiple drug therapy is prescribed, there is a possibility of drug interactions. They occur when the effectiveness or toxicity of a drug is altered by the concomitant administration of another drug. This may have beneficial effects such as increasing therapeutic efficiency or reducing risk of side effects. Often, however, they are critical because the outcome is diminished therapeutic efficacy or enhanced toxicity. Mechanisms of drug interactions are usually divided into two categories: pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic. Pharmacodynamic interactions occur when two drugs act at the same or interrelated receptors. This may lead to additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects. Additive effects may be useful in case of lithium augmentation under insufficient response to a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor or a tricyclic antidepressant. Another useful indication of a combination therapy may be the treatment of unwanted...
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Hiemke, C. (2010). Drug Interactions. In: Stolerman, I.P. (eds) Encyclopedia of Psychopharmacology. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_248
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-540-68706-1_248
Publisher Name: Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
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