Drug Interaction Checker in Emergency exam room, Belgrade

Abstract

Introduction. Trials are being performed worldwide, using internet program, checking drug interactions, at all levels of health care. Medscape drug interaction checker (https://reference.medscape.com/drug-interactionchecker) is a free of charge internet program, fast and easy to use and it uses generic drug names. In this case study we have described a case of an older lady, with worsening health condition, who uses multiple medications, hence the need to examine drug interactions. Case report. Patient is 82 year old lady with tachyarrhythmia of 150 beats per minute, pneumonia, dyspnoea, puls oximetry of 86%. She's been using amlodipine, bisoprolol, enalapril, furosemide, warfarin, digoxin, isoniazid/rifampin, sertraline, lorazepam, losartan and pyridoxine, as well as trimetazidine and bromazepam. Using internet drug interaction checker (trimetazidine and bromazepam are not registered in the USA) we came up with 32 interactions, of which five (15,6%) were serious, 23 (71,9%) required constant surveillance and four (12,5%) were minor interactions. Intravenous line was inserted and supplemental oxygen provided and with assistance of Emergency care team the patient was transferred to a nearby Urgent care center. The patient was regularly referred to specific medical specialists and recommended therapy was prescribed in her outpatient clinic. Conclusion. Internet drug checker programs are cheap and fast to use tools, which can timely indicate the problems with prescribed therapy and possible future line of treatment.

Keywords

• internet interaction drug checker program
• drug-drug interaction
• primary health care
• belgrade