Drugs.com detects more drug–drug interactions in breast cancer patients

A recent study has found more potential drug‒drug interactions in breast cancer patients receiving doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide regimen in the Drugs.com database than in the Lexicomp and Micromedex databases.

Investigators conducted a retrospective observational study at the Near East University Hospital Oncology Department in North Cyprus between June 2019 and December 2021. They determined the nature, type, and frequency of potential drug‒drug interactions in patients with breast cancer treated with doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide regimen using different databases.

The three electronic databases (Drugs.com, Lexicomp, and Micromedex) were compared according to the frequency, mechanism, and severity of drug‒drug interactions.

Of the 90 patients diagnosed with breast cancer, 40 (44.4 percent) were included in the study, and the other 50 did not meet the eligibility criteria.

Twelve (30 percent) and 13 (32.5 percent) patients with breast cancer had 14 and 15 potential drug‒drug interactions based on the Lexicomp and Micromedex databases, respectively. According to the Drugs.com database, 15 patients (37.5 percent) had 22 potential drug‒drug interactions.

On Pearson correlation, a weak association was observed between potential drug‒drug interactions and five or more medications in the Lexicomp (r, 0.475; p=0.002) and Micromedex databases (r, 0.491; p=0.001). On the other hand, a moderate association was noted between these variables in the Drugs.com database (r, 0.500; p=0.001).

“Comprehensive drug review, use of electronic health record systems, and collaboration between healthcare providers such as pharmacists and physicians may be necessary strategies to minimize potential drug–drug interactions and optimize cancer treatment in patients with breast cancer,” the investigators said.