4. Discussion
This study aimed to describe the clinical and pharmacological
characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 inpatients who experienced one or more
ADRs, with a focus on DDIs. Based on the evidence herein reported, the
majority of ADRs occurred in elderly patients exposed to polypharmacy.
Off-label drug utilisation and DDIs are well known causes of ADRs
in the general population
[2524].
In the case of COVID-19 pandemic, lacking of specific pharmacological
treatments forced clinicians and regulatory agencies to resort to
currently available drugs. Thus, off-label drug utilisation could
not be avoided. On the contrary, a patient’s complete anamnesis, in
particular regarding comorbidities and concomitant medications, may help
in avoiding the occurrence of ADRs, often due to DDIs.
In our sample, according to the case-by-case clinical evaluation, most
frequently reported ADRs were Cardiac, Psychiatric and nervous system,
and Gastrointestinal and hepatic disorders.