Assessment of potential drug-to-drug interaction with antifungal agents in men with cardiovascular disease – a cross-sectional study of Polish population

Abstract

Background Treatment of dermatological diseases in patients with concomitant cardiovascular is difficult due to reported interactions between antimycotic and cardiac drugs. The aim of the study was to assess the prescription frequency of drugs, causing potential interaction with antifungal drugs of superficial mycoses in patients with cardiovascular disease. Methods The study consisted of 166 consecutive men discharged from a tertiary cardiac department who were screened for topical fungal infections and were analyzed for drugs prescribed at discharge, with possible interference with typically used antimycotic treatment. Results The mean age of the study population was 62.8 ± 12.1 years. 57 (49.1%) of patients had a clinical suspicion of superficial mycosis and were referred for further dermatological investigation. The use of cardiovascular drugs was frequent, with 24.5% taking NOACs, 54.8% receiving diuretics and 76.5% receiving statins. No difference in the use of any drug was noted according to the mycosis status. Conclusions Polypharmacy with drugs exhibiting a potential for drug-to-drug interaction with antifungal agents is common in patients with cardiovascular disease. When choosing the appropriate option for superficial mycoses treatment, the knowledge of potential interaction is crucial in dermatologists and cardiologists to avoid their harmful consequences including serious bleeding or live threatening arrhythmias.