The Potential Determinants and Adverse Outcomes of Clinically Significant Drug-Drug Interactions in COVID-19 Ward

Ali  Arab; Kimia  Masafi; Shahram  Habibzadeh; Saeid  Sadeghieh-Ahari; Sara  Mostafalou

doi:10.18502/jimc.v9i2.21192

Ali Arab Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Kimia Masafi Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Shahram Habibzadeh Department of Infectious Diseases, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Saeid Sadeghieh-Ahari Department of Social Medicine, School of Medicine, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran
Sara Mostafalou Department of Pharmacology & Toxicology, School of Pharmacy, Ardabil University of Medical Sciences, Ardabil, Iran

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/jimc.v9i2.21192

Keywords: Adverse effects, COVID-19, Drug interactions

Abstract

Background: Identification of the risk factors of potential Drug-Drug Interactions (DDI) and investigation of their adverse outcomes.

Methods: The cross-sectional study was a retrospective analysis of a patient cohort treated at the COVID-19 ward of the Imam Khomeini hospital in Ardabil, northwest of Iran. The study included a randomized selection of patients who were admitted to the ward over three months in 2020. The demographic, medical data and drug-drug interactions of 150 randomly selected patients during three months in the COVID-19 ward of the Imam Khomeini hospital in Ardabil, northwest of Iran was analyzed.

Results: At least one potential DDI was identified in 96% of patients. The number of drugs was the only risk factor for the occurrence of DDI. In addition to the number of drugs and prescribers, all types of interactions (except type X) were associated with an increased risk of mortality and duration of hospitalization.

Conclusion: DDI are highly prevalent in the COVID-19 ward. A reduction in potential adverse effects and unwanted outcomes of pharmacotherapy is possible by reducing the number of prescribed drugs and preventing drug-drug interactions.