DRUG INTERACTION AND ADR AMONG THE ELDERLY HYPERTENSIVE PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL: A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to assess the drug interaction and experienced ADRs among the Elderly HTN patients in Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital.

Method: A Quantitative descriptive study of HTN patient’s on drug-drug interactions and experienced ADRs among elderly patient was conducted from May 2018 to November 2018.The face-to-face interview adopted in 332 elderly hypertensive patients with random sampling technique SPSS version 20.0 was used for Data analysis.

Result: the result showed that elderly patients experienced ADRs by (ARB and CCB). The majority 37 (11.14%) and 15(4.15%) were experienced ADR by CCD (Edema in lower limbs) and ARB (Muscle weakness, tiredness) respectively. the prevalence of OTC drug use was found to be 32.53 %. Among the co-morbidity the majority of them had dyslipidemia followed by diabetes in single while in double the higher percentage was found in DM + Dyslipidemia (12 %) followed by COPD+DM (3%)and there was equal percentage of multiple comorbidity 1.2%, in COPD+Dyslipidemia+DM and COPD +CKD+DM. The result showed that the potency of drug-drug interaction among the elderly hypertensive patients was found to be 43.37%, among which 79.38%, 6.18% and 14.43 % were moderate, major and minor respectively. Among the other anthypertensive drug aspirin was the most common interacting drug

Conclusion: The drug-drug interaction among the elderly hypertensive patients was common, although there is limited research on elderly patients, where they are vulnerable group, who need more care for the management of drug and disease related problems. They are at high risk of occurrence of drug interactions and ADRs; there fore the awareness and drug proper management by the clinical pharmacist is required for solving the combination drug related issue in older hypertensive population

Keywords: elderly, hypertension, Drug-drug interaction, ADRs