Importance of medication reconciliation in cancer patients

Abstract

Cancer patients are a complex and vulnerable population whose medication history is often extensive. Medication reconciliations in this population are especially essential, since medication discrepancies can lead to dire outcomes. This commentary aims to describe the significance of conducting medication reconciliations in this often-forgotten patient population. We discuss additional clinical interventions that can arise during this process as well. Medication reconciliations provide the opportunity to identify and prevent drug–drug and herb–drug interactions. They also provide an opportunity to appropriately adjust chemotherapy dosing according to renal and hepatic function. Finally, reconciling medications can also provide an opportunity to identify and deprescribe inappropriate medications. While clinical impact appears evident in this landscape, evidence of economic impact is lacking. As more cancer patients are prescribed a combination of oral chemotherapies, intravenous chemotherapies and non-anticancer medications, future studies should evaluate the advantages of conducting medication reconciliations in these patient populations across multiple care settings.

Geographic Variations and the Associated Factors in Adherence to and Persistence with Adjuvant Hormonal Therapy for the Privately Insured women Aged 18–64 with Breast Cancer in Texas

“…We have no information on whether providers may emphasize the importance of taking the medications as prescribed and recommended. Therefore, we cannot test the hypothesis as to whether it is the patients who are primarily responsible for making the decision to get their prescription refilled or for taking their medication as recommended; however, the lack of continuous medication management services for cancer survivors or the lack of seamless care transition from specialty care to primary care in these underserved areas may also influence patient adherence to AET in the long run [ 41 , 42 ].…”

Medication Burden Among Pediatric Cancer Survivors: Analysis of a Population-Wide Electronic Database in Hong Kong

“…Our results reinforce the need for closer monitoring of adverse health outcomes from multiple medications in these high-risk groups. Future studies should also evaluate the well-documented burden associated with multiple medications in patients with chronic diseases, such as nonadherence to medication therapy ( 34 , 35 ) and inappropriate drug prescribing and drug interactions ( 36 , 37 ), as well as increased health-care utilization costs ( 9 , 38 ).…”

Pharmacokinetics of Herb-Drug Interactions of Plumbagin and Tazemetostat in Rats by UPLC-MS/MS

“…Complementary and alternative drugs (CAM) are commonly used in cancer patients, and the prevalence of using CAM is so high in the cancer population, herb-drug interactions (HDIs) are of great concern, especially since they may interfere with cancer treatment regimens. 1 Due to the potential risk of adverse reactions, HDIs are a major health problem worldwide. Theoretically, many herbs may interfere with anticancer agents through pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions, which may result in toxic or sub-therapeutic outcomes associated with adverse clinical outcomes.…”

“…Theoretically, many herbs may interfere with anticancer agents through pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions, which may result in toxic or sub-therapeutic outcomes associated with adverse clinical outcomes. 1 , 2 …”

“…Theoretically, many herbs may interfere with anticancer agents through pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions, which may result in toxic or sub-therapeutic outcomes associated with adverse clinical outcomes. 1,2 Plumbago zeylanica L. (family: Plumbaginaceae), also known as Chitrak, is a medicinal plant and mainly distributed around Africa and Asia including India and China. 3 Plumbagin (5-hydroxy-2-methyl-1,4-napthoquinone, PLB), widely distributed in the Plumbaginaceae family, is a naturally occurring naphthoquinone, which is isolated from the roots of the medicinal plant Plumbago zeylanica L. PLB has been reported to possess a wide spectrum of biological and pharmacological properties including activities against malaria, leishmania, and trypanosome parasites, as well as against viruses, cancers, and bacteria.…”