The study of drug-reaction relationships using global optimization techniques

In this paper we develop an optimization approach for the study of adverse drug reaction (ADR) problems. This approach is based on drug–reaction relationships represented in the form of a vector of weights, which can be defined as a solution to some global optimization problem. Although it can be used for solving many ADR problems, we concentrate on two of them here: the accurate identification of drugs that are responsible for reactions that have occurred, and drug–drug interactions. Based on drug–reaction relationships, we formulate these problems as an optimization problem. The approach is applied to cardiovascularn-type reactions from the Australian Adverse Drug Reaction Advisory Committee (ADRAC) database. Software based on this approach has been developed and could have beneficial use in prescribing.