Drug interactions in the oncology patient

Cancer patients receiving chemotherapy often require a wide range of drugs to manage symptoms of their cancer, the side effects of the chemotherapy or radiation therapy, and other concomitant illnesses. The greater number of drugs the patient receives the greater the chance of adverse reactions. Clinical drug interactions may be direct, indirect, and additive. Toxicity or an altered therapeutic response secondary to a drug interaction may affect the cancer patient's ability to tolerate and safely receive chemotherapy.