European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

CONCEPT OF DRUG INTERACTIONS IN AYURVEDA

*Sujatha K. and Reshma S.

ABSTRACT

A Drug interaction is a situation in which a substance (drug/food) affects the activity of a drug when both are administered together. Drug interaction can have reduction / enhancement in therapeutic effects or increase in the adverse effects of the drugs. Drug safety is a very basic and fundamental concept of medical practises. Therefore the systematic knowledge of drug interaction in particular on the level of absorption, elimination, transport and drug metabolism may help to prevent adverse effects. Though Ayurveda is an ancient science, scholars had the knowledge of drug interactions and was expressed in different contexts like Pathyapathya along with the drug (Diet), Aushadhasevanakala (Time of drug administration), Anupana/Sahapana (Vehicle), Virudhaahara/aushadha (incompatibility), Prativishadravyas (Antidote). In this article an attempt was made to highlight these different areas of drug interactions.

Keywords: Drug interaction, Pathyapathya, Aushadhasevanakala, Anupana, Virdhhaahara, Prativisha.