Abstract

POLYPHARMACY INDUCED DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS AT TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN NORTH KARNATAKA

Dr Ashok Kumar Malpani* and Riyaz Miya

Abstract

The objective of the study was to observe the occurrence of drug related problems due to polypharmacy. Materials and Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted using prescriptions prescribed at General medicine department. Results: A total of 60 prescriptions were involved in the study, out of which majority of the prescriptions were containing more than 06 drugs i.e. 48.33%. The result showed 65 drug-drug interactions among those moderate drugdrug interactions were at higher side (61.66%). Apart from severe drug-drug interactions (8.33%), the study also revealed the drug duplication (6.6%) and class duplication (1.6%). Conclusion: The study concluded that, though the prescription contains multimedications can be accepted as they are clinically appropriate and/or meet the need of the patient condition but monitoring or observation is required by the Clinical Pharmacist for the prevention of drug related problems.

Keywords: Drug related problems, Drug-drug interactions, drug duplication, and class duplication.