What does an altering interaction do to medications in the body?

An altering interaction refers to a scenario where one substance affects the way a medication is processed or its effectiveness in the body. This can involve changes in how the medication is absorbed, metabolized, distributed, or excreted. Such interactions can lead to significant effects, including changing the overall therapeutic function of the drug.

For example, a drug may be rendered less effective because another medication hinders its absorption, or it may become more potent if another substance inhibits its metabolism, allowing higher concentrations to remain active in the body for longer periods. Thus, the term "changes how they function" encapsulates the essence of altering interactions, highlighting that these interactions can impact both the efficacy and safety of medications, potentially leading to altered therapeutic outcomes.

Understanding that medications can interact in complex ways emphasizes the importance of monitoring and assessing all medications a patient is using to ensure safe and effective treatment.