A Review on Drug-drug interaction studies on Amiodarone and Levofloxacin

Abstract

A drug interaction occurs when the pharmacological effects of the object drug alters the intensity of the precipitant drug. Whenever two or more drugs are taken concurrently there is a chance of an interaction among the drugs that could manifest as an increase or decrease in their effectiveness or an adverse reaction or a totally new side effect that is not seen with either drug alone that can be severe enough to alter the clinical outcome and warrant hospital admissions, ranging up to 3.8%. Interactions should always be considered in the differential diagnosis of any unusual response occurring during drug therapy. some drugs that are most likely to precipitate interactions include those that are highly protein bound such as aspirin or phenylbutazone; drugs that stimulate the metabolism of other drugs such as phenytoin, carbamazepine, rifampicin and griseofulvin; or those that inhibit the metabolism of other drugs which include allopurinol, cimetidine, metronidazole, ketoconazole, chloramphenicol, quinolones and MAO inhibitors and drugs that alter renal elimination like diuretics and probenecid. In general certain groups of drugs, particularly NSAID's, anticoagulants, antiepileptics, oral contraceptives, antibiotics, statins, antipsychotics, drugs enhancing G.I. motility, digoxin and other drugs having a low therapeutic index, pose a daily challenge for practicing physicians.