INTERACTIONS AMONG MEDICINES UNDER SPECIAL CONTROL IN THE DISTRICT PHARMACY CENTRO IN PORTO ALEGRE, RS, BRAZIL

Abstract

Polytherapy is a useful practice in the treatment of coexisting conditions or to enhance the pharmacological effect in less responsive conditions, but it presents a significant risk for drug interactions. Thus, the objective of this study was to identify in prescriptions issued by the Farmácia Distrital Centro in Porto Alegre, RS, possible drug interactions of medicines under special control and to classify them about potential drug interactions and degree of severity using the database MICROMEDEX®. After analyzing 2,839 prescriptions, the results showed that the majority of the patients were female and 75% of prescriptions presented some interaction. Out of 291 drug-drug associations analyzed. 44.4% gave a substantial risk of interaction, 23.9% moderate risk and 6.5% minor risk. Most of the strong-risk interactions showed cardiotoxicity as the main risk. The high frequency of interactions and the risk of toxic effects, also point to the need for an adequate information system on the use of medications as well as pharmaceutical guidance in these health facilities.