Navigating the Maze: awareness of Common Drug-Drug Interactions

We all know how crucial it is to take care of our health condition, but we should know  that certain medications can interact with each other, potentially causing unwanted side effects or reducing their effectiveness.

Now, I know what you’re thinking – “Isn’t it the doctor’s job to keep track of that as a patients?” Well, yes and no. While healthcare professionals do their best to alleviate the potential interactions, it’s crucial duty for us to be proactive and informed in general about our own health. After all, (knowledge is power)

let’s dive into some common drug-drug interactions that you should be aware of in general:

• Grapefruit and Medications: Ah, the humble grapefruit, a seemingly innocent fruit that can wreak havoc on your medication routine. Grapefruit contains compounds that interfere with the enzymes responsible for breaking down certain drugs in your body. This can lead to an increased concentration of the medication, potentially causing unexpected side effects.

Examples : statins(Zocor, Lipitor)/ antihypertensives like adalat(nifedipine)/ organ transplant immunosuprresant drugs as neural and sandimmune(cyclosporine)/cordarone/ some antianexiety drug such as (buspirone).

• Blood Thinners and NSAIDs: If you’re taking blood thinners like warfarin, it’s essential to avoid nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen or aspirin. These medications can increase the risk of bleeding, which can be dangerous for those already on blood thinners. Instead, seek alternative pain relief options like acetaminophen.

• Antidepressants and Certain Pain Medications: Combining antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), with certain pain medications like tramadol or meperidine can potentially lead to a serious condition called serotonin syndrome. Symptoms may include confusion, rapid heartbeat, and even seizures. So, ensure that your doctor is aware of all the medications you’re taking to avoid any complications.

• Antibiotics and Birth Control: Ladies should take care that! Some antibiotics can interfere with the effectiveness of birth control pills. This happens because certain antibiotics can alter the gut bacteria responsible for metabolizing the hormones in birth control. To be on the safe side, always use an additional form of contraception while taking antibiotics and consult your doctor for specific recommendations.

• Remember, these are just a few examples of common drug-drug interactions. The key takeaway here is to maintain open communication with your healthcare provider and acknowledge them about  medications, supplements, and even herbal remedies you’re taking.

The landscape of cancer therapy is rapidly changing in the recent years. this witnessed remarkable advancements were made by scientists and medical professionals who worked tirelessly to combat this devastating disease. Those recent treatments  include:

• Immunotherapy:

Unlike traditional therapy that target cancer cells, immunotherapy harnesses the immune cells to destroy the carcinogenic cells.one of the most recognizable immunotherapy drug is pembrolizumab (keytroda). It works by blocking PD-1 protein on immune cells, to make them attack cancer cells aggressively .it is used to treat melanoma, lung cancer and bladder cancer.

• Targeted therapy:

It is to use drugs that specifically target the genetic alteration in cancer cells. Example: imatinib  (gleevec), which popularly used in treatment of chronic myeloid leukemia, and it works by inhibiting the activity of BCR-ABL protein that is responsible for uncontrolled growth of CML cells.

•  PARP Inhibitors:

Those drugs that work by blocking the activity of enzyme called poly ADP ribose polymerase(PARP), Which is involved in DNA repair. By inhibiting PARP cancer cells with BARCA mutations are enable to repair their DNA. Leading to their death. Example: olaparib (lynparza ) which is used to treat ovarian and breast cancers.

• CAR-T cell therapy :

It is extracting T cells from patients blood, which later are genetically engineered to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) on their surface.and then those cells are infused back into the patient, to eliminate cancer cells. Example tisagenlecleucel (kymriah), which has shown remarkable success in pediatric acute lymphoplastic leukemia (ALL).

• Checkpoint inhibitors:

As nivolumab (opdivo), which block checkpoints proteins, that regulate immune response, by blocking those proteins you can strengthen the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells.