Prevalence of Drug-Drug Interaction in Hospitalized Patient in Basrah City; Southern of Iraq

Abstract

Objectives: Although multiple drugs administrationmostly increase therapeutic effect, some combinations
lead to adverse drug-drug interactions and increased morbidity. This study was designed to identify the
types,frequency, severity, and significance of drug–drug interactions (DDIs)
Methods: This retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted from September 2018 to February 2019 in
Al-Fayha’a teaching hospital in Basrah, Iraq.The data of 186 patients were collected from hospital patients
case sheets. The type and significance of DDIs were analyzed using “Medscape drug Interaction Checker.
Results: At least one to two DDI are noticed in about three quarters of the patients, about 30% cases have
three to nine DDIs and 15% of them have ten or more DDIs. According to their severity, there are 85 (11.5%)
of serious or potent DDIs. The largest percentage of reported interactions 544 (73.5%) were moderate were
close monitoring required. Out of 740documented DDIs,65.1% were pharmacodynamics and 19.5% were
Pharmacokinetic interactions, in addition, there were 15.4%of DDIs due to Unknown mechanisms. Most of
the major potential DDIs occur with the antibiotic ceftriaxone and blood thinning medications (heparin and
warfarin).
Conclusion: The findings of this study revealed a high prevalence of drug-drug interactions in hospitalized
patients particularly in patients withcardiovascular disease. Potential DDIs in this study sufficiently high
to alert health care providers to pay more attentions in order to prevent or decrease their adverse effects on
patients.