An Integrated Approach to the Rational Use of Medicines: Understanding Adverse Drug Reactions, Drug–drug, and Drug–food Interactions in Clinical Practice

2025-11-20T04:16:21+00:00

Rational pharmacotherapy remains a central pillar of patient safety and effective healthcare delivery. Yet irrational medicine use and preventable adverse events continue to threaten therapeutic outcomes worldwide. This comprehensive review integrates the concepts of adverse drug reactions (ADRs), drug–drug interactions (DDIs), and drug–food interactions (DFIs) within the broader framework of the rational use of medicines. Drawing on global evidence and regulatory guidance from 2000 to 2025, it analyses the mechanisms, classification, and public-health impact of ADRs; outlines pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles underlying DDIs and DFIs; and highlights pharmacist-led interventions that promote rational prescribing and pharmacovigilance. The review emphasizes that minimizing ADRs and interactions are inseparable from rational use strategies – encompassing evidence-based prescribing, patient education, and multidisciplinary collaboration. By synthesizing pharmacological science with clinical practice, this paper proposes an integrated model for safer, more rational pharmacotherapy across care settings.

ESTIMATION OF THE MEAN ERUPTION TIME OF FIRST PERMANENT MOLARS IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM POPULATION- A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

2025-12-30T03:33:47+00:00

Background: The current study aimed to ascertain the eruption timing of first permanent molars (FPMs) in children visiting a tertiary healthcare facility in Thiruvananthapuram.

Materials & Methods: A hospital-based, cross-sectional investigation was conducted on children aged 4 to 8 years who presented to the outpatient department of the tertiary health centre. A tooth was recorded as erupted if any part of crown penetrated the oral mucosa and became clinically visible. Scores 0 and 1 were considered as unerupted, and partially erupted occlusal surface, respectively. Scores 2 and 3 were deemed as fully erupted occlusal surfaces with less than half of the crown exposed and more than half of the crown exposed, respectively. Score 4 was considered as having full occlusion. Data was evaluated using SPSS Statistics. Comparison of mean age of patients with erupting molars across gender, birth type and birth weight were done using independent t- test, whereas the comparison according to body mass index, socioeconomic status, religion, and parents’ age, were done using one-way ANOVA test. A p- value <0.05 was considered the threshold for statistical significance.

Results: A total of 420 children were examined, 64 (15.3%) had unerupted, 239 (56.9%) had erupting and 117 (27.8%) had erupted permanent first molars. Mean age for eruption of the analytical sample for FPMs was 68.31months/5.7 years with a standard deviation of 6.3months/0.52 years. There was a significant difference between girls and boys with regard to the time of eruption (p<0.05), and eruption was earlier among females. However, the comparisons of mean erupting age against BMI, socioeconomic status, birth type, birth weight, religion, father’s and mother’s age were found to be statistically insignificant.

Conclusion: This study disclosed that the rapid development of the FPMs in the study population may necessitate an earlier assessment for orthodontic and preventive dental treatment requirements. Hence reconsidering the timeline for growth modification, space maintenance, and preventive dental protocols, as required.

Advances in Clinical Medical Research

An Integrated Approach to the Rational Use of Medicines: Understanding Adverse Drug Reactions, Drug–drug, and Drug–food Interactions in Clinical Practice

ESTIMATION OF THE MEAN ERUPTION TIME OF FIRST PERMANENT MOLARS IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM POPULATION- A DESCRIPTIVE CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY