Avoiding DDIs in opioid therapy – updated app for the healthcare community

11 May 2016

Our recently released and updated drug–drug interactions (DDI) app provides a rapid reference for healthcare professionals (HCPs) providing treatment to patients receiving opioid replacement therapy. The app aims to help HCPs identify dangerous co-prescriptions, to understand the signs to look out for, and to potentially assist them in modifying treatments.

Designed for pharmacists, physicians, nurse prescribers and key drug workers, the mobile app reviews the current state of knowledge on frequently co-administered medications for opioid-dependent patients and includes information about more than 160 commonly prescribed drugs.

With the app’s easy look-up format – drugs are ranked alphabetically and by drug class – users are able to choose up to 10 drugs at a time to access information on DDIs with methadone and buprenorphine. To ensure the accuracy and credibility of the information, the content of the app has been carefully reviewed by renowned international physicians led by Professor Elinore McCance-Katz, Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco.

DDIs are a significant source of morbidity and mortality and are recognised as a worldwide issue for opioid-dependent patients. The majority of these deaths are related to interactions between opioid medications and other drugs – both licit and illicit. There is a growing need for treatment of opioid dependence in an increasing numbers of affected individuals, and many if not most of these individuals will need treatment with an opioid medication approved for this purpose: either methadone or buprenorphine. As such, this app provides HCPs with an invaluable tool to help ensure patient safety.

Since its launch in 2013, over 4,000 healthcare professionals have already downloaded the DDI app. Join them by visiting the DDI website www.opioiddruginteractions.com and downloading it for free today!