Drug–drug interactions involving CYP3A4 and p-glycoprotein in hospitalized elderly patients

Polypharmacy is very common in older patients and may be associated with drug-drug interactions. Hepatic cytochrome P450 (notably 3A4 subtype, CYP3A4) is a key enzyme which metabolizes most drugs; P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a transporter which significantly influences distribution and bioavailability of many drugs. In this study, we assess the prevalence and patterns of potential interactions observed in an hospitalized older cohort (Registro Politerapia Società Italiana di Medicina Interna) exposed to at least two interacting drugs involving CYP3A4 and P-gp at admission, during hospitalization and at discharge. Individuals aged 65 and older (N-4039; mean age 79.2; male 48.1%), hospitalized between 2010 and 2016, were selected. The most common combinations of interacting drugs (relative frequency > 5%) and socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with the interactions were reported. The prevalence of interactions for CYP3A4 was 7.9% on admission, 10.3% during the stay and 10.7% at discharge; the corresponding figures for P-gp interactions were 2.2%, 3.8% and 3.8%. The most frequent interactions were amiodarone-statin for CYP3A4 and atorvastatin-verapamil-diltiazem for P-gp. The prevalence of some interactions, mainly those involving cardiovascular drugs, decreased at discharge, whereas that of others, e.g. those involving neuropsychiatric drugs, increased. The strongest factor associated with interactions was polypharmacy (OR 6.7, 95% CI 5.0–9.2). In conclusion, hospital admission is associated with an increased prevalence, but also a changing pattern of interactions concerning CYP3A4 and P-gp in elderly. Educational strategies and appropriate use of dedicated software seem desirable to limit drug interactions and the inherent risk of adverse events in older patients.