Optimization Methods and Software, vol.22, no.1, pp.99-126, 2007 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
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.