Prevalence and comparative analysis of potential drug-drug interactions among hospitalized patients at a tertiary care cardiac institute in Pakistan: Findings from a single centre

Abstract

Hospitalized post-operative cardiovascular disease (CVD) patients are often subject to polypharmacy, increasing the risk of potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs). This observational study assessed 384 post-operative CVD patients for pDDIs using Micromedex Drug-Int® and Lexicomp Interact®. Prevalence, severity, onset and documentation of pDDIs were analyzed using SPSS 23.0, with logistic regression identifying factors associated with at least two major pDDIs or two pDDIs categorized as X, D, or C. Micromedex Drug-Int® revealed a median of 6.23 pDDIs per patient, with 98.7% of patients having ≥1 pDDIs. Of 2,389 pDDIs, 64.1% were major. Lexicomp Interact® data showed a median of 7.15 pDDIs per patient, with 99.2% of patients having ≥1 pDDIs. Class C interactions were the most frequent (62.1%), followed by Classes B, D and X. Additionally, the study identified unique pDDIs from Lexicomp, including Ipratropium-Orphenadrine and Furosemide-Levosulpiride, not listed in Micromedex. The findings highlight the high prevalence of pDDIs in this population, emphasizing the need for regular monitoring. Using pDDI screening tools, clinical pharmacists can be crucial in mitigating these risks, particularly in high-risk patients.