Significant drug interactions among intensive care unit patients

Abstract

Objective: Drug interaction is one factor that contributes to drug-related problems. The hospitalized patients in intensive care units (ICU) have a higher risk for developing drug interactions. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potency of significant drug interactions in ICU patients. Methods: Drug-drug interactions from patient’s medical records from ICU of Arifin Achmad General Hospital in Pekanbaru, Province of Riau, Indonesia at period of July to December 2015 were assessed. Drug Interaction Checker (Medscape) software was used to identify potential drug interactions. Results: This study included 28 ICU patients (mean age, 48 years) who had the potency to drug interactions based on the software. Of these, 29% were male and 71% were female patients. The number of drugs that were given to patients was 3-13 drugs (average 7 drugs per patient). There were 122 potential drug-drug interactions found in this study, including 43% potency of minor or non-significant, 52% potency of significant, 3% potency of serious, and 2% potency of contraindicated drug interactions. A total of 67% were pharmacodynamics and 33% were pharmacokinetics interactions. Dexamethasone, ketoprofen, ketorolac, furosemide, nifedipine, and enoxaparin were among drugs with the highest frequency of potential drug interactions. Conclusion: Significant drug-drug interactions were prevalent in the ICU patients. This may be due to the complexity of the pharmacotherapies administered. The health professionals who provide care to these patients should be aware to identify and prevent possible drug events.