Drug Interactions

A majority of adult Americans take at least one medication and many of these people take four or more medications, also known as polypharmacy, which increases the risk of drug interactions. When a drug interaction occurs, it is considered an adverse drug reaction [Page 516](ADR) and a preventable medical error. Drug interactions are an expensive and potentially dangerous phenomenon and can lead to increased morbidity and mortality; interruption of necessary drug therapy, clinic, or hospital visits; increased length of hospital stays; increased health care expenses; lost wages, etc. In addition to taking multiple medications, there are other factors that put a person at an increased risk of experiencing a drug interaction, including the use of multiple pharmacies and/or multiple prescribers, acute medical conditions, age extremes ...