Date Posted: June 11, 2026

Author/s: Abraham Daniel Cruz, MD., Alyssa Janine Manalo, Robin Patrick Mecate, Mary Diehl Lorraine Nacario, Alwen Joyce Neneng, Ralph Vincent Opena, Kaye Erica Panopio, Michaela Jose Peralta, Clarisse Jann Quinez, Mikaela Cassandra Recto, Francia Rojas, Maryjoy Faith Salvacion, Maria Francesca Renei Sarmiento, Chlaritz Sebuala, Roopkiran Singh, Alyssa Rae Suyo, Nadine Ysabelle Tan, Erna Margarette Trambulo, Monica Velasco, Mark Bryan Yumang

Objectives: In the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), numerous drug administrations were often overlooked in patients, which could result in drug-drug interactions (DDIs) with reduced therapeutic efficacy or severe adverse reactions. The study aimed to evaluate the DDIs that occurred with the recorded administered medications in medical charts of ICU patients.

Methods: This research was a quantitative, descriptive, cross-sectional study among 97 existing medical charts with at least two drug prescriptions dated from March 2023 to December 2023. It utilized a total enumeration sampling technique, eligible medical record had a designated number which was subjected to a random number generator. The Lexicomp^® Database from UpToDate was used to review the DDIs. Determination of the prevalence of DDI, type of DDIs, severity, and intervention made were analyzed using frequency and percentage. The 95% confidence interval was also calculated.

Results: Among the analyzed records, the majority of the results revealed that the DDIs had a frequency of more than four per record, and only a few with 1-2 DDIs. The predominant type of DDI was synergistic. Majority were classified as moderate severity with recommended interventions of monitoring therapy.

Conclusion: This study revealed that the physician’s capacity to recognize and manage DDIs should be emphasized wherein the majority of the detected DDIs were classified as moderate in severity that could potentially aggravate the health condition of ICU patients with their pharmacotherapeutic regimen. The detection of DDIs showed importance in maximizing the therapeutic strategy and safety of the patients.

Keywords:
Drug-drug interaction, intensive care unit (ICU), medications, interventions