Drug-drug interactions and the risk of adverse drug reaction-related hospital admissions in the older population

Study (n=798; age≥65 years) found 40.4% of admissions were exposed to ≥1 potentially important drug-drug interaction (DDI). Average casual effect of DDI exposure on admission was aOR=1.21, 95%CI 0.89-1.64, which was increased by exposure to DDIs which increase bleeding.

SPS commentary:

DDIs increasing bleeding risk included:

    aspirin-warfarin (aOR=2.78 [1.37-5.65])
    esomeprazole-escitalopram (aOR=3.22 [1.13-10.25])


Authors conclude these combinations should be targeted for medicines optimisation.

British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology