Prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions among intensive care unit patients receiving linezolid: a cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE

Linezolid is commonly used in intensive care units (ICU) but has the potential to interact with other drugs. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions in ICU patients receiving linezolid.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Data of ICU patients receiving linezolid were extracted and included in the Hospital Prescription Analysis Program of China, and the risk of potential drug-drug interactions between concomitant drugs and linezolid was evaluated using the Lexicomp database.

RESULTS

A total of 3,712 ICU patients from 59 hospitals were included in the analysis, and patients received an average of 17 concomitant drugs. A total of 67.9% of patients had potential drug-drug interactions. Patients receiving concomitant drugs with risk ratings of "X", "D", and "C" categories were 20.8%, 30.4%, and 35.1%, respectively. Opioids were the most frequently prescribed drug class with drug-drug interactions (DDIs) in the "X" category, whereas butorphanol, metoclopramide, and sufentanil were the most contraindicated concomitant drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

ICU patients receiving linezolid have a high prevalence of potential drug-drug interactions, and efforts should be made to better recognize and manage this risk.