Trends in Drug-Drug Interactions Among US Older Adults
Author Information
Author(s): Dima Qato, Shyam Krishnan Ondanat, Jocelyn Wilder
Primary Institution: University of Southern California
Hypothesis
What are the changes in the frequency and types of potential major drug-drug interactions among older US adults from 2015-2016 to 2021-2023?
Conclusion
The use of interacting medications among older adults has modestly declined since 2015, but 1 in 9 is still potentially at risk for a major drug-drug interaction.
Supporting Evidence
- In 2015-2016, 12.3% of older adults were at risk for a major drug-drug interaction compared to 10.8% in 2021-2023.
- Declines in the use of interacting regimens involving aspirin, warfarin, and hydrocodone were observed.
- Increases in the use of citalopram, tizanidine, and albuterol in interacting combinations were also found.
Takeaway
Older people are taking fewer risky combinations of medicines now than they did a few years ago, but many are still at risk for dangerous drug interactions.
Methodology
Descriptive analyses of a longitudinal, nationally representative sample of community-dwelling older adults in the U.S. with in-home interviews and medication logs.
Participant Demographics
Community-dwelling older adults in the U.S.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.051
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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