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Prevalence of potential drug interactions in patients in an intensive care unit of a university hospital in Brazil
Reis, Adriano Max Moreira; Cassiani, Silvia Helena De Bortoli.
  • Reis, Adriano Max Moreira; Federal University of Minas Gerais. Faculty of Pharmacy. BR
  • Cassiani, Silvia Helena De Bortoli; University of São Paulo. College of Nursing. Ribeirão Preto. BR
Clinics ; 66(1): 9-15, 2011. tab
Article in English | LILACS | ID: lil-578589
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES:

To investigate the prevalence of potential drug interactions at the intensive care unit of a university hospital in Brazil and to analyze their clinical significance.

METHODS:

This cross-sectional retrospective study included 299 patients who had been hospitalized in the intensive care unit of the hospital. The drugs administered during the first 24 hours of hospitalization, in the 50th length-ofstay percentile and at the time of discharge were analyzed to identify potential drug-drug and drug-enteral nutrition interactions using DRUG-REAXH software. The drugs were classified according to the anatomical therapeutic chemical classification.

RESULTS:

The median number of medications per patient was smaller at the time of discharge than in the 50th length-of-stay percentile and in the first 24 hours of hospitalization. There was a 70 percent prevalence of potential drug interactions at the intensive care unit at the studied time points of hospitalization. Most of the drug interactions were either severe or moderate, and the scientific evidence for the interactions was, in general, either good or excellent. Pharmacodynamic interactions presented a subtle predominance in relation to pharmacokinetic interactions. The occurrence of potential drug interactions was associated with the number of medications administered and the length of stay. Medications that induced cytochrome P450, drugs that prolong the QT interval and cardiovascular drugs were pharmacotherapy factors associated with potential drug interactions.

CONCLUSION:

The study showed that potential drug interactions were prevalent in the intensive care unit due to the complexity of the pharmacotherapies administered. The interactions were associated with the number of drugs, the length of stay and the characteristics of the administered medications.
Subject(s)


Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Pharmaceutical Preparations / Drug Monitoring Type of study: Etiology study / Observational study / Prevalence study / Prognostic study / Risk factors Limits: Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: South America / Brazil Language: English Journal: Clinics Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2011 Type: Article Affiliation country: Brazil Institution/Affiliation country: Federal University of Minas Gerais/BR / University of São Paulo/BR

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Full text: Available Index: LILACS (Americas) Main subject: Pharmaceutical Preparations / Drug Monitoring Type of study: Etiology study / Observational study / Prevalence study / Prognostic study / Risk factors Limits: Adult / Aged / Female / Humans / Male Country/Region as subject: South America / Brazil Language: English Journal: Clinics Journal subject: Medicine Year: 2011 Type: Article Affiliation country: Brazil Institution/Affiliation country: Federal University of Minas Gerais/BR / University of São Paulo/BR