Pilot Study: Assessment of Drug-Food and Drug-Drug Interactions in the Outpatient Settings
Nehad J. Ahmed *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
Faisal Z. Alkhawaja
College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
Mohd. F. Khan
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Background: A drug-drug interaction arises when the pharmacologic effect of a medication is changed by the action of other medication causing unexpected clinical effects. Drug-drug interactions are widely known but the identification of the consequences of food and drug interactions has been growing slowly.
Aim: The present study aims to describe the occurrence of drug –food and drug-drug interactions in the outpatient settings in Riyadh city.
Methodology: A retrospective study was piloted in Riyadh city. The prescriptions were reviewed to identify potential drug - food and drug–drug interactions using Drug Interactions Checker.
Results: About 16.16% of the prescriptions included a drug - drug interaction. The most frequent interaction was the interaction between ciprofloxacin and metronidazole (25.00%) that is a minor interaction. Regarding drug – food interactions there were 40 interactions, the majority of these interactions were moderate. The most common drug - food interactions were metronidazole with food (20.00%) that is a major interaction.
Conclusion: Drug interactions with other drugs or with foods are common. These interactions could have a beneficial or a harmful effect. Physicians and pharmacists should use programs that detects the drug interactions.
Keywords: Drug-drug interactions, drug–food Interactions, outpatient