Difference Between Drug Interaction and Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR)

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A drug interaction takes place when a drug affects the action of another drug, resulting in altered effects or side effects. It occurs when drugs interact with each other or with other substances, such as food or alcohol. For example, some antibiotics can reduce the birth control pill's effectiveness. An adverse drug reaction (ADR) is an unintended response to a drug, which can be harmful or unpleasant (Patton & Borshoff, 2018). It can occur when a drug is taken as directed or in combination with other medications or substances.
ADRs can range from mild side effects, such as a headache or nausea, to more severe reactions, like an allergic reaction or organ damage. The primary difference between a drug interaction and an ADR is that the former occurs when two drugs interact. In contrast, the latter takes place when a drug produces an involuntary reaction in the body. Drug interactions occur when medications interact to produce an altered effect, while an ADR results when a drug produces an unintended reaction in the body, regardless of whether it interacts with another drug. Drug interactions are often predictable, while ADRs can be unpredictable and vary from one person to another.
A pharmaceutical interaction occurs when drugs interact physically, causing an increased or decreased effect. A pharmacodynamic interaction involves two drugs interacting to produce a different effect than either drug would produce on its own. Ideally, a pharmacokinetic interaction results when one drug alters another drug's absorption, distribution, metabolism, or excretion (Herink et al., 2019). Type A ADRs are dose-dependent, meaning that the reaction's severity rises as the drug dose increases.
An example of the above reaction is an allergic response to a drug that worsens with increasing doses. Type B ADRs are not dose-dependent, meaning the severity of the reaction does not rise with increased doses. An example is an allergic reaction to a medication that was not known to cause an allergic reaction. A side effect is an unintended, undesired effect when taking a drug or other medication. An example is drowsiness after taking a particular medication. Comparatively, an ADR is an unintended, undesired effect due to drug use, either from an overdose or from taking a drug in combination with another. An example is an allergic reaction to a medication taken with another drug.
Multiple factors may impact drug effectiveness and safety. Drug interactions can result when two or more drugs interact, leading to an altered pharmacological effect. The interactions can be beneficial or harmful and occur between two drugs or a drug and a dietary supplement or food. Drug interactions can increase or decrease the effectiveness of the drugs, resulting in either increased or decreased efficacy and safety (Brenner & ...