A PROSPECTIVE OBSERVATIONAL STUDY ON THE EVALUATION OF INCIDENCE OF POLYPHARMACY AND CHANCES OF DRUG INTERACTIONS IN CRITICAL CARE UNIT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Shilpa P. P., Rubiya S., Sreemanju M. S., Akshay T. S. and Veenavijayan G.*

ABSTRACT

A common feature among individuals requiring CCU management include their complex pathophysiologic states and the use of a large number of pharmacologic agents in their management, many having narrow therapeutic index. CCU patients are particularly predisposed to the development of drug interactions, and this predisposition is complicated by disease severity and organ failure, both of which can change the pharmacologic response to medications. This study aims to find out Poly pharmacy, chances of DDI and potentially inappropriate drugs in elderly patients admitted in CCU of a tertiary care hospital. From the study we concluded that the prevalence of DDI in a geriatric population may be high because of poly pharmacy. Out of 863 medicines prescribed on admission, 428 potential drug– drug interactions were observed. To improve drug safety in this high risk population, rational prescribing is important.

Keywords: Polypharmacy, drug interaction, critical care management.