title: [Potential antimicrobial drug interactions in clinical practice: consequences of polypharmacy and multidrug resistance].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Polypharmacy is a growing problem nowadays, which can increase the risk of potential drug interactions, and result in a loss of effectiveness. This is particularly relevant to the anti-infective therapy, especially when infection is produced by resistant bacteria, because therapeutic options are limited and interactions can cause treatment failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  All antimicrobial prescriptions were retrospectively reviewed during a week in the Pharmacy Department, in order to detect potential drug-interactions and analysing their clinical significance. A total of 314 antimicrobial prescriptions from 151 patients were checked.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There was at least one potential interaction detected in 40% of patients, being more frequent and severe in those infected with multidrug-resistant microorganisms. Drugs most commonly involved were quinolones, azoles, linezolid and vancomycin.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Potential drug interactions with antimicrobial agents are a frequent problem that can result in a loss of effectiveness. This is why they should be detected and avoided when possible, in order to optimize antimicrobial therapy, especially in case of multidrug resistant infections.
authors.affiliation: Cristina Martínez-Múgica, Servicio de Farmacia, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias. Avenida de Roma s/n. 33011 Oviedo. Asturias, Spain. cmartinezmugica@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martínez-Múgica
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004347:Drug Interactions; D024901:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial; D026141:Drug Resistance, Multiple, Fungal; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019338:Polypharmacy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents