A Study of Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Indoor Patients of Medicine Department at a Tertiary Care Hospital.
Date
2013-10
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Drug interactions are an important cause of medication errors. The present study was conducted to evaluate the
nature and clinical significance of potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in inpatients of Medicine Department
at a tertiary care hospital in India. The second day prescription of every alternate indoor patient from five
randomly selected medical units of a tertiary care hospital were collected. Prescriptions were analyzed for
potential DDIs using the web based interaction checkers of Medscape and Current Index of Medical Specialties.
The average numbers of drugs per prescription and potential DDIs per prescription and the types, age wise
distribution and clinical significance of the potential DDIs were evaluated. A total of 3405 potential DDIs were
detected in 257 prescriptions. An average 8.28 drugs were prescribed per prescription. The most common drug
groups involved in potential DDIs were diuretics (n=255), NSAIDs (n=225), β blockers (n=143), cardiac
glycosides (n=129) and statins (n=122). Potential DDIs were most frequent in patients between 61-75 years of
age. The clinical significance was graded as serious (n=123), significant (n=949), minor (n=2328) and
contraindicated (n=5). An increased risk of rhabdomyolysis (n=41) and an increase in QTc interval (n=38) were
the most common potentially serious DDIs detected. Of the 1077 DDIs (excluding minor DDIs), 615 were
pharmacodynamic and 462 were pharmacokinetic interactions. Potential DDIs increased with an increase in the
number of prescribed drugs. Improved awareness among prescribers is required to reduce the risks associated
with DDIs. Use of drug groups, commonly involved in potential DDIs, should be minimized and optimized while
prescribing.
Description
Keywords
Potential drug interactions, Medicine department, Medscape, Current Index of Medical Specialties, Pharmacodynamic interactions, Pharmacokinetic interactions
Citation
Kapadia Jigar, Thakor Dhaval, Desai Chetna, Dikshit R K. A Study of Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Indoor Patients of Medicine Department at a Tertiary Care Hospital. Journal of Applied Pharmaceutical Science. 2013 Oct; 3(10): 89-96.