Drug-drug interactions and potentially inappropriate medications among elderly outpatients



Document title: Drug-drug interactions and potentially inappropriate medications among elderly outpatients
Journal: Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences
Database: PERIÓDICA
System number: 000451561
ISSN: 1984-8250
Authors: 1
2
2
2
2
2
Institutions: 1Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Faculty of Pharmacy, Teherán. Irán
2Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Research Center for Rational Use of Drugs, Teherán. Irán
Year:
Volumen: 57
Country: Brasil
Language: Inglés
Document type: Artículo
Approach: Analítico, descriptivo
English abstract The high prevalence of concomitant chronic illnesses and the resulting higher number of medications in the elderly population increase the risk of adverse drug reactions due to drug-drug interactions (DDIs) and potentially inappropriate medications (PIMs). Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and factors associated with DDIs and PIMs in outpatient geriatrics. In this cross-sectional study, 1512 prescriptions belonging to patients aged ≥65 years from five public pharmacies in Tehran were evaluated. Clinically relevant (C, D, and X) and significant DDIs (D and X) were documented according to the Lexicomp®. Additionally, Zhan criteria were used to detect PIMs. At least one clinically relevant DDI was detected in 61.7% of the prescriptions containing ≥2 medications. The largest percentage of prescriptions with DDIs was prescribed by cardiologists (74.3%). The number of medications in prescriptions and the specialty of the prescriber significantly affected both clinically relevant and significant DDIs in a logistic regression model. At least one PIM was identified in 16.3% of the prescriptions. General practitioners (GPs) were the largest prescribers of PIMs. The mean number of medications was significantly higher in prescriptions with PIMs. In conclusion, clinically relevant DDIs are frequent in the elderly. In terms of PIMs, more attention should be paid to the education of GPs
Disciplines: Medicina
Keyword: Farmacología,
Geriatría,
Ancianos,
Enfermedades crónicas,
Interacción medicamentosa,
Criterios médicos
Keyword: Pharmacology,
Geriatrics,
Aged,
Chronic diseases,
Drug interaction,
Medical decisions
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