Revista de Ciências Farmacêuticas Básica e Aplicada (Jul 2013)

Drug interactions in female oncologic inpatients: differences among databases

  • Patricia Moriel,
  • Jorge Augusto Siqueira,
  • Renata Cavalcanti Carnevale,
  • Caroline Godoi Rezende Costa,
  • Aline Aparecida Cruz,
  • Nice Maria Oliveira da Silva,
  • Adélia Corina Bernardes,
  • Roberta Paro Carvalho,
  • Priscila Gava Mazzola

Journal volume & issue
Vol. 34, no. 3

Abstract

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The aim of the present study was to quantify drug interactions in prescriptions for women undergoing supportive therapy in an oncology setting at a women’s hospital in Brazil and compare the information provided by different databases regarding these drug interactions. A convenience sample was selected of prescriptions for patients diagnosed with breast or gynecological tumors hospitalized in the clinical oncology and surgery wards from April to June 2009. DRUGDEX/Micromedex (Thomson Micromedex) was the main database used for the identification of drug interactions and was compared with two other databases: Drugs.com and Lexicomp. The search was performed by inputting all drug combinations found in the prescriptions in Micromedex and Drugs.com. All interactions identified and classified by Micromedex and/or Drugs.com as of major severity were then checked in Lexicomp. A total of 152 interactions were identified by Micromedex (61 major, 69 moderate and 22 minor). In Drugs.com, 614 interactions were identified (85 major, 464 moderate and 65 minor). Forty-four were classified as major drug interactions in at least one of the databases: 30 in Micromedex, 26 in Drugs. com and 14 in Lexicomp. The present findings reveal discrepancies among the three databases analyzed. Thus, standardization should be proposed. Moreover, both the pharmacist and multidisciplinary team should perform a critical analysis of prescriptions to promote safe practices in the use of medications and minimize potential complications caused by drug interactions.

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