POSSIBLE TOXIC EFFECTS OF BENZODIAZEPINES;

At therapeutic doses due to drug-drug interactions in hospitalized patients

Abstract

Introduction: Benzodiazepines and its derivatives are used widely as anxiolytics, hypnotics, seizure control and as muscle
relaxants. Design: The prescriptions of 270 patients were evaluated for moderate to severe drug interactions using drug interaction
detection software. Setting: Teaching hospital in Gujrat, Pakistan. Objective: This study is used to evaluate the possible toxic effects of
benzodiazepine related drug-drug interactions in prescriptions of indoor patients. Material & Methods: The prescriptions were
processed through a software program named, The Medical Letter Adverse Drug Interaction program. The randomly collected patient
chart profiles included both male and female patients ranging from age of few months old children to old aged patients. Result: Out of 270
patients medication charts 210 medication charts were having at least one or more drug interactions ranging from moderate to severe.
Out of 80 interacting drug combinations found, 15 were benzodiazepine related drug interactions. So, percentage of benzodiazepines
related drug interactions was 18.75%.Moreover, the data also showed that the percentage of DDIs increases as the prescription size
increases. Our results indicate that hospitalized patients in Pakistan are at risk of ADRs caused by potential DDIs. Moreover, there are
chances that the safe therapeutic doses of benzodiazepines may become toxic or ineffective due to drug-drug interactions and
polypharmacy. Conclusions: So, the use of DDIs detection software programs in hospitals and pharmacies should be promoted in order
to minimize drugs especially benzodiazepines related injuries and to ensure patient safety.