DDIs are indeed one of the major challenges of clinical practice, as they impact on drug efficacy and results with dangers to patient safety. This review thus overviews the mechanisms, risk factors, clinical implications, and managing strategies involving DDIs. The two types of DDIs are pharmacokinetic, these include absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME), and pharmacodynamics interactions involve additive, synergistic, or antagonistic effects. Both patient-specific factors, for example, age, comorbidities, genetic variability, and drug-specific characteristics, including narrow therapeutic index medications, play a crucial role in DDI risk.

The clinical effects of DDIs are broad and often range from decreased effectiveness of the treatment or adverse interaction, with a potential risk for hospitalization. To help identify and predict DDIs better, various in vitro and in vivo models, computerized prediction tools, and pharmacogenomics testing are applied. The healthcare provider plays a significant role in managing and preventing DDIs by means of medication reconciliation, educating the patient, as well as adjusting drug regimens. Further, recent technological innovations including electronic health records and DDI alert systems have helped in the handling of DDI.

While DDI detection and reporting face challenges, advances in artificial intelligence offer promising future directions for more accurate prediction and management. This review underscores the importance of DDI awareness among healthcare professionals and highlights strategies for enhancing patient safety through effective DDI management