An appraisal of potential drug interactions regarding hyperbaric oxygen therapy and frequently prescribed medications.

UNLABELLED Many healthcare providers may overlook or even be unaware of most drug-to-drug interactions. Recognizing the existence of drug interactions with the use of hyperbaric oxygen can empower a clinician with knowledge to avoid dangerous interactions that may result in hazardous, negative patient outcomes. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT) can reduce the efficiency of certain drugs or make drug therapy more unpredictable. METHODS This review offers the physician information regarding prescription drug interactions with hyperbaric oxygen therapy. First, mechanisms found in the medical literature of potential drug interactions with the use of hyperbaric oxygen are presented. Second, the 100 most frequently prescribed medications in 2009 are reviewed regarding hyperbaric oxygen. Lastly, a table of these 100 medications and any reported effects of hyperbaric oxygen on each drug are provided. RESULTS The total number of different medications in this review was 69. Reported drug interactions resulting from the effects of hyperbaric oxygen occurred with 38 of the 69 drugs that were reviewed (55%). Descriptions of the possible effects of hyperbaric oxygen are presented for each reviewed medication. Thirty-one medications of the 69 review drugs (44.9%) did not have any description of the possible effects of hyperbaric oxygen. A few references recommended avoidance of hyperbaric oxygen because co-administration of these drugs predisposes the patient to oxygen toxicity. CONCLUSION Hyperbaric oxygen therapy may interact with medications through pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic mechanisms. This review offers the healthcare provider information regarding potential drug interactions. Empowered with this information, clinicians may assist their patients to maximize pharmacologic outcomes by avoiding these reported harmful interactions.