Common Neuropsychiatric Drug Interactions in Egypt That Require Clinical Interventions: A Retrospective Study in Delta Region

Background: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are a major concern in patients with complex therapeutic regimens. The increasing incidence of neuropsychiatric disorders gives more attention to neuropsychiatric drug interactions in clinical practice. However, limited reports of neuropsychiatric DDIs are available. This study aimed to identify neuropsychiatric DDIs that require clinical intervention in Egyptian outpatients' prescriptions. Methods and Materials: An observational retrospective study was performed on Egyptian outpatients with different neuropsychiatric disorders in Delta region of Egypt. Prescriptions were analyzed for potential drug-drug using the Lexicomp® DDI database. Potential DDIs included both "D" and "X" risk ratings. Data were analyzed for incidence, Mechanism of action, major interacting therapeutic classes and outcomes. Descriptive statistics were used to calculate the incidence of a potential drug interaction. Results: A total of 4341 outpatients' prescriptions were analyzed. Among them, 623 prescriptions were identified with at least one potentially interacting drug combination. The overall incidence rate of potential drug interactions was 14%. It was found that 86 prescriptions contained neuropsychiatric potential drug- drug interactions. Conclusion: This increased incidence of neuropsychiatric DDIs shows that Egyptian outpatients are at a high risk of medication errors that can be prevented. This emphasizes the need for checking DDI during prescription writing and dispensing. In addition, providing DDI related information to the prescribers can play a vital role in minimizing the incidence rate of DDI.