[Drug-drug-interactions in psychiatry].
OBJECTIVE
In daily practice of psycho-pharmacotherapy most patients are under polypharmacy which may result in potentially harmful drug-drug interactions. Therefore, we investigated if the risk of drug-drug interactions can be reduced by a consultant clinical pharmacist for the physicians on psychiatric wards.


METHODS
Drug-drug-interactions and adverse drug reactions of patients on 2 psychiatric intensive care units were investigated retrospectively in 2008 and 2009. Before the second investigation period, a special training was performed and during this period a pharmacist supported the physicians regarding drug therapy.


RESULTS
After the introduction of a pharmacist on the ward and 2 teaching lessons relevant drug interactions were reduced by 78 % (p < 0.001), the number of all interactions by 44 % (p < 0.001). The total number of drug interactions decreased by the training sessions, which were offered shortly before starting the second observation period, from 3.4 interactions/patients in 2008 to 2.2 interactions/patients in 2009 (p < 0.04).


CONCLUSIONS
A clinical pharmacist on the ward can contribute to a higher drug therapy safety in psychiatric wards. An interdisciplinary approach can relieve the physicians' daily work. The drug therapy can be improved by continuous teaching sessions about drug interactions.
Klinik und Poliklinik für Psychiatrie und Psychotherapie; HSK, Dr. Horst Schmidt Klinik GmbH, Wiesbaden.
Martina
M
Hahn
Julia
J
Reiff
Christoph
C
Hiemke
Dieter F
DF
Braus
D000328:Adult; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006801:Humans; D007318:Inservice Training; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D008508:Medication Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017749:Total Quality Management
D011619:Psychotropic Drugs