Research Article

Assessing Drug-Drug Interaction Potential among Patients Admitted to Surgery Departments in Three Palestinian Hospitals

Table 6

Common interactions among 502 patients admitted to surgery wards in 3 Palestinian hospitals.

Interacted pairs (% per total number of detected interactions)SeverityEffectPossible mechanism

Ranitidine HCl+meperidine HCl158 (14.2%)MajorProlongation of opioid effectsInhibition of meperidine metabolism
Bisoprolol fumarate+aspirin81 (7.3%)ModerateIncreased blood pressureDecreased production of renal prostaglandins
Aspirin+furosemide66 (5.9%)MajorReduced diuretic effectiveness and possible nephrotoxicityDecreased renal prostaglandin synthesis
Clopidogrel+atorvastatin calcium60 (5.4%)ModerateHigh on-treatment platelet reactivityCompetition with CYP3A4-mediated clopidogrel metabolism
Ciprofloxacin+metronidazole54 (4.8%)MajorQT prolongation and arrhythmiasQT prolongation
Warfarin sodium+acetaminophen51 (4.6%)ModerateIncreased risk of bleedingInhibition of warfarin metabolism
Ranitidine hydrochloride+aspirin31 (2.8%)MinorReduced salicylate plasma levels and decreased antiplatelet effect of aspirinReduced absorption of aspirin
Phenytoin+ranitidine hydrochloride20 (1.8%)MinorIncreased phenytoin concentrationsDecreased phenytoin metabolism