Drug interactions in transplant patients: what everyone should know.
OBJECTIVE
Adverse events due to drug-drug interactions remain a challenge in the postsurgical care of transplant recipients. A combination of potent and selective immunosuppressive drugs, which have a narrow therapeutic index, with medications for the treatment of comorbidities such as dyslipidemia, infection, psychiatric conditions, and hypertension, can lead to life-threatening drug-drug interactions.


RESULTS
There are a number of important drug-drug interactions which are important for physicians to consider. It is critical to understand the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of drug-drug interactions, their potential impact on patient care, and the management strategies.


CONCLUSIONS
Close therapeutic drug monitoring and evaluation of drug-specific side effects continue to be an important key to minimize adverse events due to drug-drug interactions.
Manitpisitkul
Wana
W
Department of Pharmacy, University of Maryland Medical Center, Baltimore, Maryland 21201, USA.
McCann
Erin
E
Lee
Sabrina
S
Weir
Matthew R
MR
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects; D004347:Drug Interactions; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D016030:Kidney Transplantation / Q000502:physiology*; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives; D010599:Pharmacokinetics; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects
D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000927:Anticonvulsants; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors; D019161:Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs; D009173:Mycophenolic Acid