[Adverse drug effects and their clinical importance within the scope of intensive care and emergency medicine].

Patients in intensive care often receive various drugs. Many of these patients have received previous treatment for chronic diseases. When different drugs are administered the possibility of unwanted drug interactions has to be considered. A short review is presented, dealing with clinically relevant interaction with sympathomimetic, antiarrhythmic, analgesic, neuroleptic and diuretic drugs, plasma expanders and electrolytes. Knowledge of the limited number of unwanted drug interactions helps to correct loss of drug action or intoxication.