Patterns of prescription drug use and incidence of drug–drug interactions in patients reporting to medical emergency

Pharmaco‐epidemiological studies detailing prescribing patterns of physicians are very few from developing countries. The present study describes the patterns of prescription of drugs by physicians working in different clinical settings in India and explores using the prescriptions the incidence of potential drug–drug interactions (DDI). This study was a cross‐sectional observational study. The prescriptions of patients for any chronic medical condition and drug therapy received at the first point of contact with health care services for present medical emergency were analyzed for information. The prescriptions were also analyzed for potential DDI. Data were expressed as mean ± SD or median and inter‐quartile range. Multiple logistic regression was used for variables likely to be associated with incidence of DDI. Of total 710 patients, 565 prescriptions were available for analysis. Of the chronic diseases, hypertension (17.7%) and diabetes mellitus (16.8%) were the commonest. Alcoholic liver disease had maximum average number of drugs prescribed (3.9). Supplements were the most commonly prescribed pharmacological agents for chronic disease (142/796). Patients in 35–50 years of age consumed maximum average number of drugs (1.9). Antibiotics were the most frequently prescribed agents (148/1240) followed by supplements (122/1240). We noted 296 mild and moderate potential DDI. Literacy of patients and polypharmacy were the factors associated significantly with DDI. Patients in India do not consume large number of allopathic medicines. The practice of prescribing supplements and antibiotics needs to be reviewed. Potential DDI are not an important problem. Prescription policies need significant revision.