Potential drug interactions in the pediatric inpatient unit: a retrospective study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12957/reuerj.2025.86067Keywords:
Pediatric Nursing, Drug Interactions, Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse ReactionsAbstract
Objective: to identify potential drug interactions and their respective severity levels in prescriptions from a pediatric unit. Method: quantitative investigation conducted in a public hospital between August and September 2023. Prescriptions containing two or more drugs were included, and those unavailable or with incomplete data were excluded. Prevalence ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Drug interactions were analyzed using the Drugdex-Micromedex® and WeMEDS® applications. Results: a total of 628 prescriptions were analyzed, comprising 3,030 prescribed drugs, with a mean of 4.8 drugs per prescription. Potential drug interactions were identified in 21.3% (n=134) of the children, with major severity predominating, accounting for 65.8% (n=129) of occurrences. These interactions were significantly more prevalent among children aged three to five years, with 47% (PR=1.47; 95%CI=1.26–1.71), and six to 12 years, with 74% (PR=1.74; 95%CI=1.48–2.06). Conclusion: a considerable number of potentially interactive combinations were identified. The predominance of interactions was classified as major, posing a risk to the patient’s life.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Ana Beatriz Rodrigues Ferreira, Aline Cerqueira Santos Santana da Silva, Luiz Henrique Amarante, Luiza Helena de Oliveira Salvi da Cruz, Fernanda Garcia Bezerra Góes, Beatriz Cristina de Oliveira Rocha
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