Drug Coding

Drug coding is the process of identifying a particular medications pharmacological classification for the intended use in adverse event evaluation, drug/drug interaction study, drug-herbal interaction study, or drug-food interaction study (hereto referred as drug-substance interaction).

# In a clinical trial, concomitant and historical/prior medications are usually recorded for this purpose.
# While data-mining and initial detection of drug-substance issues can be determined using the ATC levels, true drug-substance analysis requires active ingredient retrieval from the dictionary.

WHY IS DRUG CODING IMPORTANT ?

# Drug interactions account for 3-5% of preventable in-hospital Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs)
# Drug interactions contribute to a number of emergency room (ER) visits and hospital admissions
# Drugs are removed/restricted from marketplace due to drug/drug interactions

Examples of drug interactions with other drugs …

Cordarone (amiodarone): FDA issued an alert in August 2008, warning patients about taking Cordarone to correct abnormal rhythms of the heart and the cholesterol-lowering drug Zocor (Simvastatin). Patients taking Zocor in doses higher than 20 mg while also taking Cordarone run the risk of developing a rare condition of muscle injury called rhabdomyolysis, which can lead to kidney failure or death. "Cordarone also can inhibit or reduce the effect of the blood thinner Coumadin (warfarin)," . "So if you're using Cordarone, you may need to reduce the amount of Coumadin you're taking."

Lanoxin (digoxin): "Lanoxin has a narrow therapeutic range. So other drugs, such as Norvir (ritonvair), can elevate the level of Lanoxin,". "And an increased level of Lanoxin can cause irregular heart rhythms." Norvir is a protease inhibitor used to treat HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.

Antihistamines: Over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines are drugs that temporarily relieve a runny nose, or reduce sneezing, itching of the nose or throat, and itchy watery eyes. If you are taking sedatives, tranquilizers, or a prescription drug for high blood pressure or depression, you should check with a doctor or pharmacist before you start using antihistimines. Some antihistamines can increase the depressant effects (such as sleepiness) of a sedative or tranquilizer. The sedating effect of some antihistamines combined with a sedating antidepressant could strongly affect your concentration level. Operating a car or any other machinery could be particularly dangerous if your ability to focus is impaired. Antihistamines taken in conjunction with blood pressure medication may cause a person's blood pressure to increase and may also speed up the heart rate.

Reference: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm096386.htm


Will discuss more about the WHO DD in my next post.So keep blogging.