How can drug interactions impact treatment outcomes?
Drug interactions can significantly impact treatment outcomes in various ways:
- Reduced efficacy: Some interactions can lower the effectiveness of medications, potentially leading to treatment failure. For instance, certain antacids can reduce the absorption of fluoroquinolone antibiotics, making them less effective. - Increased toxicity: Interactions can also increase the risk of adverse effects. For example, combining protease inhibitors used in HIV treatment with certain statins can lead to severe muscle toxicity. - Drug resistance: Inconsistent drug levels due to interactions can promote the development of drug-resistant strains of pathogens, complicating future treatment efforts.
