Evaluation of Drug-Drug Interactions in Pharmacoepidemiologic Research

Pharmacoepidemiol Drug Saf. 2025 Jan;34(1):e70088. doi: 10.1002/pds.70088.

Abstract

Drug-drug interactions (DDIs) represent a significant concern for clinical care and public health, but the health consequences of many DDIs remain largely underexplored. This knowledge gap underscores the critical need for pharmacoepidemiologic research to evaluate real-world health outcomes of DDIs. In this review, we summarize the definitions commonly used in pharmacoepidemiologic DDI studies, discuss common sources of bias, and illustrate through examples how these biases can be mitigated.

Keywords: biases; design considerations; drug–drug interaction; methodology; review; study design.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Bias
  • Drug Interactions*
  • Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Pharmacoepidemiology* / methods