Analysis of drug x nutrient interactions among the most prescribed drugs in a Long Stay Institution for the elderly in the interior of Minas Gerais

Abstract

Introduction: The elderly population, for the most part, makes use of a large number of medications, which can interact with nutrients/food in order to change the effectiveness and action of both. Objective: to identify the most used drug classes and evaluate possible interactions between drugs and nutrients by members of the Lar de Idosos Abrigo Tiradentes, Minas Gerais. As well as providing health education to the institution's professionals. Methodology: this is descriptive exploratory research with a quantitative and retrospective approach, encompassing 25 elderly people. Data on the medications used were collected through the analysis of the medical records, in which the active ingredients, the route of administration and the respective times of administration were verified. As for information regarding the food provided, data were collected from the Institution's menu, identifying the foods that were commonly offered concomitantly with the medications. Results: the use of 39 drugs was identified in the long-stay institution evaluated, with the highest frequency being neuroleptics, antihypertensives and antilipemic. When investigated the interaction of this with nutrients/food most had some kind of interaction. Conclusion: recognizing the relevance of health education, in order to prevent such interactions from happening, carrying out interdisciplinary training for the institution's professionals are relevant actions to guarantee better results for the services provided by the place.