Assessment of Potential Drug ‑ Drug Interaction among the Patients Receiving Cancer Chemotherapy: A Cross‑sectional Study

Objectives: To identify and assess the various potential drug‑drug interactions (pDDIs) among the patients receiving cancer chemotherapy, using the database from Lexicomp® Solutions with the ultimate goal of raising awareness among clinicians for safe medication usage.

Materials and Methods: It is a prospective, cross‑sectional study engaged at a tertiary care hospital in South India. Data regarding clinically prescribed drugs were obtained from the patients admitted to the oncology unit of a tertiary care hospital within the time frame of 6 months (June 2018 to December 2018). Frequency and clinical relevance, the onset, and Severity of pDDIs were assessed using the database from Lexicomp® Solutions version 4.1.2. Data were analyzed using the descriptive statistics. Statistical significance was analyzed using the Mann–Whitney and Chi‑square tests. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to identify the correlation between the incidence of drug‑drug interactions with age, the number of drugs prescribed, and the type of cancer.

Results: A total of 895 pDDIs were seen, including 261 with chemotherapeutic drugs and 634 with supportive medication. It was observed that around 14.18% of cyclophosphamide showing interaction with Ondansetron among chemotherapeutic drugs, whereas 9.14% of lithium presenting interaction with Ondansetron among supportive therapy. A statistically significant higher interaction was noted among supportive medications provided when compared to anticancer drugs (P = 0.001).

Conclusions: The majority of pDDIs observed among the patients receiving chemotherapy with supportive medications as compared to anticancer chemotherapy. There is an urgent need for special safety measures to monitor and prevent drug interactions in the oncology unit.