Potential drug-drug interactions among elderly patients on anti-hypertensive medications in two tertiary healthcare facilities in Ekiti State, South-West Nigeria

Sahel Medical Journal

关键词: Anti-hypertensive medications;    drug-drug interactions;    drug utilization;    geriatric patients;    polypharmacy;   

DOI  :  10.4103/1118-8561.181896

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Introduction: Drug-drug interactions remain a major cause of adverse drug reactions with great consequences such as increased morbidity and increased healthcare cost. In elderly patients with systemic hypertension, there is a tendency for them to be prescribed multiple medications and this may expose them to some drug-drug interactions (DDIs) especially in the context of physiological changes of ageing. The objective of this study was to evaluate potential drug-drug interaction among some Nigerian elderly hypertension. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving elderly hypertensive patients attending the general outpatient clinic of two tertiary healthcare facilities located in Ekiti State, South-West Nigeria. The information collected from the patients′ medical records included their ages, gender, diagnosis and list of prescribed anti-hypertensive medications. Potential drug-drug interactions were checked for using the Multi-Drug Interaction Checker (Medscape Reference) and Epocrates Drug Interaction Checker (San Mateo CA, USA). Results: A total of 350 elderly patients attended the clinics during the study period of which 208 (59.4%) hypertensive patients were identified and their records used for analysis. The fixed-dose combination drug Moduretic® (Amiloride /Hydrochlorothiazide)-25.7% was the most commonly prescribed antihypertensive followed by Lisinopril (16.6%), Amlodipine (13.2%) and Nifedipine (12.6%). The anti-platelet Acetyl-salicylic acid (ASA) was prescribed for 100 (48.1%) patients and represented 19.8% of all prescribed medications. A total of 231 potential DDIs were found among the patients giving a mean of 1.3 interactions per patient. The most common identified drug pairs with potential interactions were ACE inhibitors - Amiloride, followed by ACE inhibitors - Hydrochlorothiazide, ACE inhibitors - ASA and ARB - Amiloride. Conclusion: Potential drug-drug interactions, though common in this study comprised mainly of minor and moderate types. Notwithstanding, physicians need to be reminded of the potential for interactions when prescribing for elderly patients

【 授权许可】

Unknown