A Prospective Study on Potential Drug Interactions among Hospitalized Patients in the Cardiology Departments in Tertiary Care Hospitals.

Kameswaran Ramalingam; Shanmuga Sundaram Rajagopal; Krishnaveni Kandasamy; Karthikeyan Krishnan

Volume : VIII, Issue : V, May - 2018

A Prospective Study on Potential Drug Interactions among Hospitalized Patients in the Cardiology Departments in Tertiary Care Hospitals.

Kameswaran Ramalingam, Shanmuga Sundaram Rajagopal, Krishnaveni Kandasamy, Karthikeyan Krishnan

Abstract :

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to assess the potential drug interactions (pDIs) among hospitalized patients in cardiac department in 3 tertiary care hospitals.

METHODS

A prospective, observational study was carried out for a period of 12 months. A sample of 685 patients were assessed for pDDIs using Micromedex^®– 2.7and Drugs.com database.

RESULTS

A total of 685 patients were analyzed and it was found to be 524 (76.49%) cardiac patients had pDDIs, with potential drug–drug interactions (pDDIs) higher in male cardiac [298 (56.87%)]compared to females. Incidences of pDDIs were found to be higher in the age group of 60–70 years were [193(36.83%)] and incidences of interactions based on duration of (4–6 days) hospital stays were 380 (72.53%). Moreover, 51.90% patients were found to be prescribed with more than 7 drugs, with higher incidences of pDDIs. Some of the most common drug interacting pair was between aspirin and clopidogrel combination observed in 245 pDDIs in cardiac patients. Drug–food interactions (pDFIs) were found to be between atorvastatin – citrus fruits. The commonpotential drug – disease interaction (pDDIs) was found to be isosorbide dinitrate – myocardial infarction.

CONCLUSION

The present study found that incidence of pDDIs become associated with old age, male gender, number of medication given and increased duration of hospital stays. consequently, it is encouraged to do away with all drugs with out therapeutic benefit, goal and indication. food – drug interactions can produce negative results in safety and efficacy of drug therapy in addition to nutritional repute of patients. understanding of predictable or possible drug interactions is important for his or her well timed detection and prevention of associated morbidity.