Evaluation of Polypharmacy and Drug Interactions in the Treatment of Patients with Sepsis

Abstract

Objective:Comprehensive and supportive therapies of sepsis and septic shock (SSS) cause polypharmacy and increase the risk of drug interactions. This study aimed to evaluate the rate of polypharmacy, potential drug interactions, and clinical pharmacists’ interventions on drug interactions in patients with SSS.Materials and Methods:This prospective, cross-sectional study was conducted in the intensive care unit of a university hospital. Drug interactions and clinical pharmacist’s interventions on these interactions were evaluated in patients with SSS.Results:The mean number of drugs received by 65 patients (67.7% male) was 8.69±2.12, and 161 drug interactions were recorded. After the assessment of these drug interactions according to their clinical significance, interventions were made in 19 (11.8%) patients. Of these drugs, 78.9% were related to antimicrobials (especially clarithromycin, 31.6%). All interventions were accepted and fully implemented by physicians. The number of drug interactions increased with the increasing frequency of drug use (r=0.475; p<0.05). A clinically significant interaction that required intervention was detected in patients taking seven drugs.Conclusion:A positive relationship was found between the number of drugs and the risk of drug interactions. Owing to polypharmacy and drug interactions in patients with SSS, clinicians should be aware of and clinical pharmacists should be involved in drug-interaction management.

Keywords

• sepsis
• septic shock
• polypharmacy
• drug interaction