Frequency and Characteristics of Potential Drug-drug Interactions Identified in Patients Hospitalized at the Infectious Diseases Hospital of Tirana

Potential drug-drug interactions (pDDIs) are a serious and frequent health issue, leading to often preventable and predictable adverse drug reactions and other negative outcomes. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of potential drug-drug interactions and characterize them in patients hospitalized in an Infectious Diseases hospital in Albania. We conducted a cross sectional study in patients discharged from this hospital in Tirana during the period from October 1, 2011 to December 30, 2011 and their medical files were consulted. The detection of pDDIs among prescribed drugs was performed through the Thompson Micromedex®1.0 program, independently by two pharmacists. 31.4% (56) of all patients included in the study experienced at least one pDDI, most of which were of moderate severity and well documented. Drugs most frequently involved in potential DDIs were NSAIDs (24.5%), fluoroquinolones (22.4%), and aminoglycosides (14.3%). Most prevalent specific risks due to pDDIs were decreased effectiveness or decreased plasma levels of one of the drugs (29.6%), increased response or plasma levels of one of the drugs, with risk of increased toxicity (26.5%) and increased risk for tendon rupture (9.1%). According to the results of this study, pDDIs in Albania are frequent and potentially avoidable. Further divulgation and awareness is needed to prevent harmful or clinically important drug-drug interactions. The utilization of appropriate computer programs, pharmacotherapeutic monitoring of patients and the pharmacist ́s presence in the multidisciplinary team are some of the recommended ways for the improvement of hospitalized patients ́ treatment.