DRUG-DRUG INTERACTIONS;

PENICILLINS, CEPHALOSPORINS AND QUINOLONES IN INDOOR PATIENTS

Abstract

Introduction: This research paper is based on a study conducted on the in-door
patients at a teaching hospital in Gujrat, Pakistan, in order to check for the frequency with which
Penicillins, Quinolones and Cephalosporins are being used together and in combinations with
other drugs and the drug-drug interactions that occur due to these combinations and their
impacts on the patients. Objectives: (1) To check the frequency with which Penicillins,
Quinolone and Cephalosporins are being used in different combinations in patients. (2) To
determine their drug-drug interactions. (3) Impact on patients due to these interactions. (4)
Reasons for prescription of mismatched combinations by clinicians. Study Design: 270 random
prescriptions were collected from different wards of DHQ hospital, Gujrat. These prescriptions
were then analyzed for drug interactions among the above mentioned group of drugs, with the
help of soft ware program named The Medical Letter Adverse Drug Interaction Program. Setting:
Aziz Bhatti Shaheed Hospital (DHQ), Gujrat , Pakistan. Period: Prescriptions were collected over
the period of 3 months. Conclusions: Prescribing antibiotics for different indications in indoor
patients is unavoidable. However, it is the duty of the clinician to monitor the patient when he is
using two or more drugs together. This study recommends the use of drug-drug interaction
detecting software in hospitals, so that, the level of patients’ safety may be enhanced.