Medication utilization patterns in patients with post-COVID syndrome (PCS): Implications for polypharmacy and drug-drug interactions.
J Am Pharm Assoc (2003)
; : 102083, 2024 Apr 02.
Article
en En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-38574993
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Post-COVID syndrome (PCS) causes lasting symptoms like fatigue and cognitive issues. PCS treatment is nonspecific, focusing on symptom management, potentially increasing the risk of polypharmacy.OBJECTIVES:
To describe medication use patterns among patients with Post-COVID Syndrome (PCS) and estimate the prevalence of polypharmacy, potential drug-drug interactions, and anticholinergic/sedative burden.METHODS:
A cross-sectional analysis of baseline data from the Quebec Action for Post-COVID cohort, consisting of individuals self-identifying with persistent COVID-19 symptoms beyond 12 weeks. Medications were categorized using Anatomical Therapeutic Classification (ATC) codes. Polypharmacy was defined as using 5 or more concurrent medications. The Anticholinergic and Sedative Burden Catalog assessed anticholinergic and sedative loads. The Lexi-Interact checker identified potential drug-drug interactions, which were categorized into 3 severity tiers.RESULTS:
Out of 414 respondents, 154 (average age 47.7 years) were prescribed medications related to persistent COVID-19 symptoms. Drugs targeting the nervous system were predominant at 54.5%. The median number of medications was 2, while 11.7% reported polypharmacy. Over half of the participants prescribed medications used at least 1 anticholinergic or sedative medication, and 25% had the potential risk for clinically significant drug-drug interactions, primarily needing therapy monitoring.CONCLUSIONS:
Our study reveals prescription patterns for PCS, underscoring the targeted management of nervous system symptoms. The risks associated with polypharmacy, potential drug-drug interactions, and anticholinergic/sedative burden stress the importance of judicious prescribing. While limitations like recall bias and a regional cohort are present, the findings underscore the imperative need for vigilant PCS symptom management.
Texto completo:
1
Colección:
01-internacional
Base de datos:
MEDLINE
Idioma:
En
Revista:
J Am Pharm Assoc (2003)
Asunto de la revista:
FARMACIA
Año:
2024
Tipo del documento:
Article