PREVALENCE OF DRUG INTERACTIONS AND ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL
Keywords:
Irrational prescriptions, drug interactions,, adverse drug reactions, polypharmacy,, PDDIs, ADDIsAbstract
In healthcare delivery system, medicines play a key role in reducing patient’s suffering. Nonetheless, irrational use of medicines remains a major issue
facing most health systems across the world. This might eventually lead to drug interactions and adverse drug reactions (ADRs). Hence a study was
planned with an aim to evaluate the prevalence of drug interactions and adverse drug reactions in a tertiary care hospital. A total of 500 patients were
selected by convenience sampling method. Complete case records of all the 500 subjects were collected. 26.32% (n = 15) ADRs are seen in the age
group of 51-60 years. 70.18% (n = 40) of ADRs are seen in males. Irrational prescribing is seen in 30.2%. Most of the (Potential Drug Drug Interactions)
PDDIs are due to the combined use of aspirin and clopidogrel (n = 76). Hence, by evidence based practice and rational drug use guidelines, the adverse
drug effects can be minimized. Also, by minimizing polypharmacy the number of ADRs can be reduced, thereby decreasing the cost of health care.
