Scientists discover drug side effects, interactions using new computer algorithm
Thursday, March 15, 2012 - 00:30
in Health & Medicine
Researchers have devised a computer algorithm that enabled them to swiftly sift through millions of reports to the US Food and Drug Administration by patients and their physicians and identify "true" drug side effects. The method also identified previously unsuspected interactions between pairs of drugs, notably that antidepressants called SSRIs interact with a common blood pressure medication to significantly increase the risk of a potentially deadly heart condition.