Evaluation of drug-drug interactions and side effects in COVID-19 patients in an intensive care unit

Abstract

BACKGROUND/AIM: Considering comorbidity rates in patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), polypharmacy will be inevitable when the treatment for COVID-19 is added to the treatment of existing chronic disease conditions. In our study, we evaluated the effects of comorbidities, drug-drug interactions and complications on the clinical course of the disease in COVID-19 patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted retrospectively with thirty five COVID-19 patients of various age and gender groups who had been admitted to the intensive care unit in a university hospital in March and April, 2020. The demographic, laboratory and clinical data were collected. RESULTS: In our study, the average number of days intubated in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome and sepsis was found to be statistically significantly higher than those without complications. serious-use alternative interaction was detected in 85.7% of the patients, monitor closely interaction in 60%, and minor interaction in 34.3%. In 88.6% of the patients, at least one of these interactions was observed, while all three interactions occurred at the same time in 20% of them. CONCLUSION: According to the results of this study, managing the risks, interventions such as drug dosage adjustment, and drug changes and monitoring of any parameters that may indicate drug side effects for the patient may be necessary.