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Cited by 9Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient OutcomesPharmacy and Medical PracticesPharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reactions

Unveiling Drug-Drug Interactions in Dental Patients: A Retrospective Real-World Study

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Colibășanu, Daiana, Ardelean, Sebastian Mihai, Goldiș, Florina-Diana, Drăgoi, Maria-Medana, Vasii, Sabina-Oana, Maksimović, Tamara, Colibășanu, Șerban, Șoica, Codruța +1 more·2025·Dentistry Journal
DOI 10.3390/dj13060255PMC PMC12191789
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Abstract

Background: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) are a growing safety concern in dental care, particularly among patients with comorbidities and polypharmacy. However, real-world data (RWD) on the prevalence and severity of DDIs in dental settings remain scarce. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the frequency, severity, and clinical relevance of DDIs in dental patients and to identify age- and comorbidity-related risk patterns. Methods: This retrospective study analyzed a cohort of 105 dental patients, considering demographics, preexisting diseases, dental procedures, and prescribed medications. We examined drug-drug interactions (DDIs) employing the DrugBank Drug Interaction Checker, which yields DDI severity into major, moderate, or minor. Results: 45.7% of patients had preexisting diseases, with cardiovascular diseases most prevalent (19.0%). Higher prevalent dental diagnoses and procedures included apical lesions (47.6%) and tooth extractions (53.3%), suggesting frequent pharmacotherapy exposure. We identified 542 DDIs out of 1332 drug pairs and found 2.3% major, 25.0% moderate, and 13.4% minor, with 59.3% showing no interactions. Key high-risk DDIs included epinephrine with beta-blockers. Fifteen patients aged 31–60 years experienced the most major DDIs of 61.3%, patients ≥ 61 years faced 38.7%, and the 0–30 group had none, highlighting age-specific risks. The higher DDIs burden in the 31–60 age group may reflect better knowledge of the drugs they used and accurate reporting of them. Conclusions: Our retrospective study addresses the paucity of dental DDIs real-world data (RWD) studies, pleading for improved drug reconciliation, systematic screening, and age- and comorbidity-tailored strategies to enhance patient safety.

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Authors
Colibășanu, D., Ardelean, S. M., Goldiș, F.-D., Drăgoi, M.-M., Vasii, S.-O., Maksimović, T., Colibășanu, Ș., Șoica, C., & Udrescu, L.
Affiliations
  • Center for Drug Data Analysis, Cheminformatics, and the Internet of Medical Things, “Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
  • Politehnica University of Timisoara (RO)
  • Victor Babeș University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara (RO)
  • Camera de Comerț Industrie și Agricultură Timișoara (RO)
  • Departament II–Pharmacology-Pharmacotherapy, “Victor Babeş” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timișoara, Romania
Corresponding author
Udrescu, Lucreția
ORCID
Venue
Dentistry Journal
Publisher
MDPI AG
Published
2025-06-09
Volume
13
Issue
6
Pages
255
ISSN
2304-6767 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3390/dj13060255
PMC
PMC12191789
OpenAlex
W4411156662
Cited by
9
References
0
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 2
FWCI
5.44
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Dentistry Journal (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
“Victor Babeș” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timișoara
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Geriatrics and Gerontology › Pharmaceutical Practices and Patient Outcomes
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Pharmacology › Pharmacy and Medical Practices
  • Life Sciences › Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics › Toxicology › Pharmacovigilance and Adverse Drug Reactions
Keywords
drug-drug interactions, dental patients, polypharmacy, comorbidities, epinephrine, beta-blockers, age-related risk, patient safety, cardiovascular disease, tooth extraction, apical lesion

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