Abstract

IDENTIFICATION, EVALUATION AND ANALYSIS OF THE DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS IN VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS OF A TERITIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL

Sushilkumar P. Londhe*, Saumya Mathew, Shaniyamol Sunny, Sharon John

ABSTRACT

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are defined as the modifications of the effects of one drug by the prior or concomitant use of another drug. The objective were to identify, evaluate and analyze the drug-drug interactions in various departments of a tertiary care teaching hospital. A specially designed data collection form was prepared and data was collected after getting consent from patient or patient representative. The study was conducted in medicine, emergency and ICU departments of a tertiary care teaching hospital. The patients case sheets were analyzed for further investigation on drug-drug interactions by using micromedex and medscape interaction checker. A total of 200 prescriptions were analyzed for Drug-Drug interactions. Out of which, 141 cases were found to have drug-drug interactions. Prescriptions with 10-12 drugs showed maximum number of DDI’s. A total of 467 DDI’s were found in the 141 cases, out of which major interactions were the most frequent. Pharmacodynamic DDI’S were commonly found. The DDI’s that occured most frequently was found to be Aspirin+ Clopidogrel. Drugs belonging to the class β-blockers was involved in most of the DDIs. The interaction effect found in most of the cases with DDI’s was, increased risk of hypoglycaemia.

Keywords: DDIs, medication error, ICU, emergency.