Manjeeta Gupta
MIMER Medical College, India
Title: Potential drug-drug interactions in critically ill patients in a tertiary care hospital: a prospective study
Biography
Biography: Manjeeta Gupta
Abstract
Background: Drug-drug interaction (DDI) is a specific type of adverse event, which develops due to multiple drug therapy, especially in critically ill-patients. Aim: To study the prevalence of potential DDI, their severity, clinical significance, and their association with patient characteristics in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) patients in a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted for a period of 3 months (July 2014 -September 2014) to assess the potential DDIs using Medscape Drug Checker Software and Lexi-Comp, Inc. Version: 2.7.5. drug interact android mobile application. Results: A total of 180 patients, majority of which were suffering from cardiovascular conditions (30%) were included in the study with a prevalence of 77.78% potential DDIs. In those with hospital admission more than five days, 65.73% had potential DDIs. There were 229 potentially interacting drug pairs with corticosteroids, aspirin, beta blockers, and diuretics being commonly involved in potential drug interactions. A total of 2336 interactions were observed with an occurrence rate of 3.08 DDI per patient. Severity was moderate in 64.63%, pharmacodynamics mechanism in 72.49%, and 60.26% had risk rating category C. Conclusions: The present study showed high concomitant drug administration of potentially interacting drugs. The prevalence confirmed the association of polypharmacy and duration of hospital stay. Vigilant prescribing approach is needed to prevent hazardous outcomes of DDIs.