Heny Ekowati, Nialiana Endah Endriastuti, Zulfanida Akmelati, Sarmoko
The global spread of COVID-19 poses significant health risks, underscoring the need for effective treatments. The concurrent use of corticosteroids and symptomatic medications in COVID-19 patients may lead to drug interactions. This study investigates potential drug interactions between corticosteroids, symptomatic drugs, and other medications in COVID-19 patients at Banyumas Hospital, Indonesia. Employing a descriptive observational methodology with a retrospective design, the study included all COVID-19 inpatients at the Banyumas Hospital between June 2020 and June 2021. Potential drug interactions were analyzed using the Drugs Interaction Checker on Drugs.com and Lexicomp on UpToDate. The analysis included 334 patients, identifying potential drug interactions categorized into pharmacokinetics (189 cases, 38.10%), pharmacodynamics (264 cases, 53.23%), and unknown mechanisms (44 cases, 8.87%). Regarding severity, the interactions were classified as major (50 cases, 10.08%), moderate (204 cases, 41.13%), and minor (243 cases, 48.1%). Patients with COVID-19 are at risk for potential drug interactions, most of which cannot be avoided. It is important to select appropriate corticosteroid and symptomatic drugs uses and manage therapy appropriately to reduce the incidence of potential drug interactions. While the potential for drug interactions is prevalent in COVID-19 patients taking corticosteroids and symptomatic drugs, many of these drug interactions may not have clinical significance. Therefore, further empirical research is essential to thoroughly assess these potential interactions and devise strategies to mitigate any serious adverse effects they may cause. © Indonesian J Pharm 36(2), 2025, 348-359 | journal.ugm.ac.id/v3/IJP.
Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Health Sciences, Universitas Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, 53123, Indonesia; Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Institut Teknologi Sumatera, South Lampung, 35365, Indonesia