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Some things to consider when a drug is being prescribed

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    Some things to consider when a drug is being prescribed

    Some things to consider when a drug is being prescribed.

    How the drug is processed in the body.
    Kidney function and liver function are important patient considerations. Certain drugs are processed by the liver for example, and active liver disease may mean choosing an alternative or adjusting dose. Compromised kidney function needs to be considered with drugs that are processed thru the kidney. (some drugs are processed by the liver & the kidney, and these might be considered for those with impairment of either kidney or liver).

    Potential drug disease issues.
    Certain drug classes are avoided (when possible) that might have an adverse effect on a patient who has other disease states or conditions. A patient's asthma for example, may worsen with drugs from a particular class (Beta blockers). A drug that causes tremors for a diabetic patient needing to inject insulin could be problematic.

    Potential drug drug interactions.
    Especially challenging when you put several drugs in the same basket. There is a lot of information about drug drug interactions
    between two drugs. Evaluating several and sometimes many drugs in a basket, which is often the case with multiple disease states, is difficult. There are some great sites for health professionals with tools to compare lists of drugs together.
    (vitamins,herbs/natural health products, other over the counter drugs being taken need to be included in this evaluation). Pharmacists can be a good resource for this kind of information.

    Possible duplication of therapy.
    There are many disease states that require multiple drugs as part of the treatment regimen. Sometimes duplication of therapy (2nd drug added to augment the 1st drug) is necessary, and sometimes it is not appropriate.

    Other patient specific considerations.
    Age. The elderly for example are at greater risk of falls with benzodiazepines, and the risk of a fall needs to be considered.
    Ethnic group. Certain ethnic groups process drugs differently than others. The effectiveness of certain drug classes can differ depending on ethnicity.
    ***. Some drugs are processed differently by women vs men.
    Compliance. How many doses a drug will be given daily. A drug requiring 3 or 4 doses throughout day, rather than once or twice daily dosing
    will reduce the likelihood of compliance. Are blister packs appropriate when complicated drug regimens need to be used? Does the patient have a caregiver that can assist?

    Patient history with respect to drug therapy. Has this patient been on this medication before? Did it work? Was it well tolerated? Should a drug with different properties be used in the present situation?

    This list is by no means exhaustive
    AJ

    Humans punish themselves endlessly
    for not being what they believe they should be.
    -Don Miguel Ruiz-

    #2
    Hello AJ. What interesting information. How does a person find out whether a drug is processed through the liver or kidneys? Too often a doctor won't even mention it, and I've never thought - or known - to ask.
    uni

    ~ it's always worth it ~

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      #3
      That is a lot of things to take into consideration!


      Woody

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        #4
        drug interaction

        thanks a lot for all the informatio about drugs

        Comment


          #5
          Uni, the best source of information for whether drugs are processed thru the kidneys or liver or both would probably be your pharmacist.
          AJ

          Humans punish themselves endlessly
          for not being what they believe they should be.
          -Don Miguel Ruiz-

          Comment


            #6
            RANO, you're welcome.
            AJ

            Humans punish themselves endlessly
            for not being what they believe they should be.
            -Don Miguel Ruiz-

            Comment


              #7
              Hello AJ. Great list. Take Care. paul m

              Hello Uni. AJ is correct a pharmicist is the best person to ask, probably better than your doc. However if you can stand reading the professional product information sheets at www.drugs.com they have good info. They also have an interaction checker. Your pharmicist is still the best. Sometimes www.crazymeds.us has it too.

              As AJ has pointed out many things can affect our ability to handle different meds. Some things like booze or pineapple juice does really affect our ability to handle specific meds and often gets over looked during an interview. Take Care. paul m
              "Alone we can do so little;
              Together we can do so much"
              Helen Keller

              Comment


                #8
                'Some things like booze or pineapple juice does really affect our ability to handle specific meds and often gets over looked during an interview.'

                Grapefruit juice affects quite a few drugs. Statin drugs for lowering cholesterol is a good example. Grape fruit juice increases blood levels of this family of drugs.
                AJ

                Humans punish themselves endlessly
                for not being what they believe they should be.
                -Don Miguel Ruiz-

                Comment

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