Pediatrics
Drug interactions in children: Which drug classes are most implicated?
One in five children on Medicaid taking two or more drugs were exposed to major drug-drug interactions (DDIs). Higher exposures were seen in children with complex medical or mental health issues. Clonidine, psychiatric medications, and asthma drugs were among the drugs frequently involved in DDIs.
- This cross-sectional study included 781,019 children on Medicaid ages 0 to 18 years with two or more outpatient prescriptions.
- Researchers found that 21% experienced one or more major DDI exposures. DDI exposure odds rose with age and with complexity of medical and mental health conditions.
- In terms of adverse physiologic effect exposures, the highest rates per 100 children included increased serum drug concentrations (15), CNS depression (14), and QTc interval prolongation (10).
Source:
Kyler K, et al. (2024, January 4). Pediatrics. Major Drug-Drug Interaction Exposure Among Medicaid-Insured Children in the Outpatient Setting. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38174350/