Transporters are subject to competition and may alter substrate concentrations (e.g. competition for renal excretion or for gut transporters). See Drug transporters for more information.
Prodrugs may be particularly affected by interactions if production of the active metabolite is affected (e.g. codeine to the active metabolite morphine). See Prodrugs and Dosing for more information.
Pharmacodynamic (affecting drug action)
These are often predictable from respective additive or opposing drug actions.
May increase desired response (e.g. two antihypertensive drugs).
May decrease desired response (e.g. beta-agonist with a beta-blocker).
May increase adverse reactions (e.g. benzodiazepines with opioids).
May decrease adverse reactions (e.g. antiemetics with opioids).
Pharmaceutic (affecting the drug itself)
These are mainly important in relation to compatibilities (e.g. intravenous infusions and dilutents, nasogastric feeds and phenytoin). See Notes on Injectable Drugs (NOIDS).
must be prescribed or recommended by a consultant.
Information about this Canterbury DHB document (93247):