Drug‐related challenges following primary total hip and knee arthroplasty.

We aimed to characterize the in‐hospital analgesic use among total hip or knee arthroplasty (THA or TKA) patients, and to identify possible drug‐related challenges. We identified 15 263 patients operated with a THA or TKA between 1 January 2012 and 30 April 2016. The prevalence of analgesic users and patients with potential clinically relevant drug‐drug interactions (DDIs), along with the prevalence of readmission among patients with vs. without a DDI, were calculated. A DDI was defined as the combination of (A) a diuretic, an angiotensin‐converting enzyme inhibitor or an angiotensin II receptor blocker, and an non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory Drug (NSAID); (B) warfarin and an NSAID; and (C) a benzodiazepine or a benzodiazepine‐related drug and an opioid. The prevalence of analgesics administered in THA and TKA patients was 99.3% and 99.1% for paracetamol and 93.8% and 98.8% for opioids, respectively. The prevalence of patients who received interaction A, B or C was 8.4%, 2.5% and 40.7%, respectively. Patients with vs. without a DDI had a higher prevalence of 30‐day readmission. In conclusion, most THA and TKA patients were administered paracetamol or opioids. The prevalence of 30‐day readmission was higher in patients with than in patients without a potential clinically relevant DDI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]