Factors Associated with Potential Drug-Drug Interactions in Patients Attended in Primary Health Care: A Focus on Mental Health

Issues Ment Health Nurs. 2017 Sep;38(9):769-774. doi: 10.1080/01612840.2017.1350771. Epub 2017 Aug 2.

Abstract

There were no Brazilian studies regarding potential drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in primary health care (PHC) analysing common mental disorders (CMDs) and psychotropic medication.

Objectives: To identify DDI prevalence in that setting; to classify DDI; to verify correlations with demographics, pharmacotherapeutics, psychotropic medication and CMDs. Among 430 patients interviewed 190 had more than two medications prescribed, 58.4% had DDI. Factors associated were age and number of medications. Nine types of severe DDI composed 28% patients' prescriptions, 71.9% involving psychotropic medication. Only the number of types of drugs contributed to the regression model. Results raise important aspects regarding patient safety in PHC units in Brazil are where patients with psychological complaints have to seek for health care firstly.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brazil
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Drug Interactions*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mental Disorders / drug therapy*
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Primary Health Care*
  • Psychotropic Drugs / adverse effects*
  • Risk Factors
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs