Objective
To map explicit screening tools to identify potentially inappropriate medication (PIMs), and the characteristics and limitations of these tools. Including PIMs–interactions, therapeutic alternatives and the clinical management of PIMs.
Methods
A systematic scoping review was conducted in PubMed and Scopus (until May 2021). The number of PIMs listed as essential drugs was identified in Model List of Essential Medicines by the World Health Organization (WHO) and National List of Essential Medicines (Brazil). In addition to reporting the therapeutic alternatives and clinical management proposed by explicit screening tools to identify PIMs, we suggested our own alternatives for the PIMs most frequently reported.
Results
Fifty‐eight tools reported 614 PIMs and 747 PIMs–interactions. Limited overlap between the tools was observed: 123 (69.1%) of 178 therapeutic alternatives proposed by the tools were considered inappropriate by other tools, and 222 (36.1%) of the 614 PIMs identified were named as being inappropriate only once. Only 21 tools were developed by a Delphi panel technique associated with systematic review. The PIMs listed as essential medication in Brazil and by the WHO were 30.6% and 23.3% of the total reported, respectively. For the most‐cited PIMs, such as non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs, tricyclic antidepressants and benzodiazepines, we suggested the use of non‐opioid and opioid analgesics; agomelatine, bupropion or moclobemide; and melatonin, respectively.
Conclusions
The next stages in the development of explicit screening tools to identify PIMs include achieving more consensus between them and improving their applicability across countries. Further, it is recommended that tools include PIMs risks and advice on therapeutic alternatives.
Background: The elderly people have high morbimortality associated with respiratory disorders, in addition to the presence of other safety risk factors, such as the use of potentially inappropriate medication and the occurrence of drug interactions. Objective: Considering the current pandemic scenario, it was intended to identify explicit criteria-based tools that reported drug interactions between potentially inappropriate medication and respiratory system disorders and possibly worse prognosis of COVID-19 infection. Methods: A systematic scoping review was conducted until February 2020. Study characteristics of explicit criteria-based tools, and potentially inappropriate medication, drug interactions, and therapeutic management, were extracted. Results: Nineteen explicit criteria-based tools were included. Nineteen drug interactions and 17 potentially inappropriate medications with concerns for three respiratory disorders (asthma, chronic pulmonary obstructive disease, and respiratory failure) were identified. The most frequent pharmacological classes reported were benzodiazepines and beta-blockers. For clinical management, the tools recommend using cardioselective beta-blockers, calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and angiotensin II type I receptor blockers, and benzodiazepines with a short or intermediate half-life. Conclusion: Considering the increased risk of COVID-19 infection in the elderly, drug interactions and the use of potentially inappropriate medication associated with the occurrence of adverse drug events in the respiratory system may also worsening COVID-19 infection in patients with uncontrolled respiratory disorders. Thus, it is essential to assess drug therapy in use, to identify safety risks, and monitor the elderly in general and those with a worse prognosis concerning COVID-19, promoting patient safety.
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