Information related to drug-drug interactions (DDIs) varies significantly from one drug information (DI) resource to another. These variations pose challenges for healthcare professionals in making the right decisions regarding using some of the drug combinations in needy patients. The objective of this study was to review eight different DI resources for scope, completeness, and consistency of information related to DDIs. A total of eight DI resources, namely, Micromedex^®, Portable Electronic Physician Information Database^©, UpToDate^®, Medscape.com drug interaction checker, Drugs.com drug interaction checker, Stockley’s Drug Interactions (ninth edition, 2010), Drug Interactions Analysis & Management: Facts and Comparisons 2014 (ninth edition, 2014), and the drug interaction appendix of the British National Formulary-76, were compared. Each DI resource was scored for scope by calculating the percentage of interactions that had an entry in each resource. A completeness score was calculated for each resource describing severity, clinical effects, mechanism, and DDI management. The consistency of the information was assessed using Fleiss Kappa (k) score estimated using ReCal3 0.1 (alpha) web service and Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 24. The scope score was the highest (100%) for UpToDate^® and Portable Electronic Physician Information Database^©, whereas the completeness score was the highest (100%) for Drug Interaction Analysis & Management: Facts and comparisons 2014. The inter-source reliability scores among the eight different DI sources were poor (k < 0.20, p < 0.05) for documentation of information related to severity, clinical effects, mechanism, and management of DDIs. Variations in the information cause uncertainty among healthcare professionals concerning interacting drug pairs in clinical practice. This may also increase the possibility of adverse drug outcomes when interacting drug pairs are used in at-risk patients. We recommend comprehensive preventive and management strategies for DDIs depending on a uniform scale of severity and clinical effects across various DI resources.

Depression is a common mood disorder characterized by persistent sadness and loss of interest. Research suggests an association between the inclusion of omega-3 fatty acids in the diet and a reduced risk for depression. The present study evaluated the effectiveness of omega-3 fatty acid supplements in alleviating depressive symptoms in patients with mild to moderate depression. A total of 165 patients suffering from mild to moderated depression were randomized to receive omega-3 fatty acid supplementation, an antidepressant (single agent), or a combination of an antidepressant and omega-3 fatty acid supplementation. The clinical features of depression were assessed using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HDRS) during the follow-up period. A statistically significant improvement in depressive symptoms was observed from baseline to first, second and third follow-ups within each treatment arm as measured by HRDS scores (p = 0.00001). Further, the HDRS scores at the third follow-up were significantly lower in patients on combination therapy of omega-3 fatty acid supplement and antidepressants (arm-3) than the patients on the omega-3 fatty acid supplement alone (arm-1) [Q = 5.89; p = 0.0001] or the patients taking an antidepressant alone (arm 2) [Q = 4.36; p = 0.0068]. The combination of an omega-3 fatty acid supplement and an antidepressant elicited significantly higher improvement in depressive symptoms than the supplement or the antidepressant alone.

Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the nature, reasons, and consequences of self-medication practice among the general population of Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional, survey-based study. Data with respect to knowledge, awareness, and practices regarding self-medication were collected through an interviewer-assisted questionnaire answered by the study participants. Thus, collected data from 413 survey respondents were analyzed using SPSS version 24.0. Results: The prevalence of self-medication practices among our study respondents was 52.1%. A headache (155 [37.5%]) was the most common clinical condition treated through self-medication practice. Familiarity with the treatment/medication (198 [48%]) was the most common cited reasons, whereas the advertisement and friend's advice were the most (182 [44%]) cited sources of information for self-medication usage. The majority (265 [64.1%]) of the respondents were considered self-medication practice as safe. However, 19 respondents reported side-effects or complications during the due course of self-medication. It was observed that there is a statistically significant association (P < 0.05) between age and employment status of this study participants with self-medication practices. Conclusion: The data from this study show that the self-medication practice is very common among the study population. Variables such as younger age group and occupation status were significantly associated with self-medication practice. We emphasize the role of pharmacist in educating the community regarding safe medication practices such as harmful effects of self-medicating and inappropriate practices such as sharing the medications among family members and friends.

Depression is a prevalent mental health condition treated with antidepressants and other psychotropic medications. This study aimed to assess the utilization pattern of antidepressants among patients visiting the outpatient clinic of the psychiatry department of a tertiary care hospital. The study included the patients who visited the study site and fulfilled the mental and behavioral diagnostic criteria for depression. The demographic and clinical details, including drugs prescribed, were documented in a study-specific data collection form. The ratio of Prescribed Daily Dose to Defined Daily Dose (PDD: DDD) was calculated to assess the adequacy of antidepressant utilization. Data total of 154 patients were collected. A total of 22 psychotropic drugs were used among the study patients as mono (n = 70), dual (n = 69), triple (n = 10), or quadruple therapy (n = 1). Escitalopram was the most often prescribed antidepressant out of the nine antidepressants alone and in combination and was used in slightly high doses (PDD: DDD ratio 1.6). Sertraline, paroxetine, and desvenlafaxine, were used in adequate doses (PDD: DDD between 1 and 1.1), and fluoxetine, duloxetine, amitriptyline, imipramine, and mirtazapine, were used in inadequate doses (PDD: DDD <0.5). Our study findings reveal the need for continuous assessment of antidepressants medications usage in a hospital set up.

Aims and Objectives: This study was conducted to identify the different types of complementary and alternative medicine?(CAM) used, reasons for the use of CAM, and the perceptions, experience, and information seeking-behavior toward usage and safety of CAM by the general public of Ras Al-Khaimah, UAE. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective cross-sectional study. A?validated, self-administered, or interviewer-assisted survey questionnaire was used to collect the data. Data from 403 respondents satisfying inclusion criteria were collected and were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version?24.0. Results: A?majority of the respondents?(218?[54.1%]) were females. The most commonly?(210?[52.1%]) used CAM among the study respondents was herbal medicine. A?total of 91?(22.6%) of the survey respondents mentioned that they receive conventional medications along with their CAM. Majority?(213?[52.9%]) of the survey respondents opted for CAM to prevent illness. Good number?(208?[51.6%]) of the survey respondents mentioned that CAM usage was beneficial in improving their health condition, and they?(216?[53.6%]) do believe it as safe and effective. However, a small group?(26?[6%]) of respondents reported side effects or complications with the use of CAM. Conclusion: Widespread use of CAM for different medical problems was evident in our study. Although majority of the CAM users believe it as safe and effective, CAM usage should be discussed with the health-care providers to understand the safety issues involved in the use of majority of CAM.