title: Prevalence of drug-drug interactions of antiretroviral agents in the private health care sector in South Africa.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection can be effectively treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), requiring concomitant administration of three to four different agents, often with a high potential for drug-drug interactions (DDIs). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of possible DDIs between antiretrovirals (ARVs) themselves and other drugs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective drug utilisation study using data from a national medicine claims database for the period 1 January to 31 December 2004.
  
  
  METHODS
  A section of the private health care sector in South Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  All ARV prescriptions (N=43 482) claimed during 2004. The possible DDIs found were classified according to a clinical significance rating described by Tatro (2005) in his book Drug Interaction Facts.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 5 305 882 medicine items were prescribed; of these, 1.92% (N=101 938) were ARVs. Of the total number of 2 595 254 prescriptions, 1.68% (N=43 482) contained ARVs. A total number of 18 035 DDIs (81 different types) were identified; of these, 83.89% (N=15 130) were DDIs between ARVs and other drugs, while 16.11% (N=2 905) were DDIs between ARVs themselves. Possible DDIs with a clinical significance level of 1 (major, N=17) and 2 (moderate, N=1 436) represented 8.06% (N=1 453) of the total number of identified interactions.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Since concomitant use of ARVs and other drugs used to treat HIV complications is increasing, there is a need to understand and anticipate these DDIs and to overcome them by dose adjustments and patient education, so that they are not life threatening to HIV/AIDS patients.
authors: Department of Pharmacology, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha, E Cape. kyendanorah@yahoo.com
authors: N L
authors: NL
authors: Katende-Kyenda
authors: M S
authors: MS
authors: Lubbe
authors: J H
authors: JH
authors: Serfontein
authors: I
authors: I
authors: Truter
mesh_terms: D016907:Adverse Drug Reaction Reporting Systems; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D017149:Private Sector; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013019:South Africa
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents