Harmful three‑drug combinations in older adults seen in the emergency room
Significant high order drug interactions in the emergency department setting among older patient population
This project searches for three‑drug combinations that raise or lower the chance of emergency room visits among older adults (65+).
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Ohio State University NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbus, UNITED STATES) |
| Project ID | NIH-11260276 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Using large US health insurance claims (MarketScan and Medicare) and electronic health record data, researchers will mine real‑world information about medication combinations and emergency department visits among adults 65 and older. They will use advanced data‑mining methods to spot high‑order drug‑drug interactions involving three or more medications and compare safety across common combinations that include anticoagulants, diabetes drugs, and opioids. The team will then validate findings and explore clinical and pharmacologic mechanisms behind dangerous combinations to understand why they cause adverse drug events. The focus is on linking specific three‑drug combos to serious adverse drug events that lead to ED visits or hospitalization.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults aged 65 or older who take three or more prescription medications—especially those on blood thinners, diabetes medicines, or opioids—or who have had recent emergency department visits for adverse drug events.
Not a fit: Younger adults, people taking fewer than three medications, or patients whose care is not captured in US insurance claims or participating EHR systems are unlikely to directly benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could help clinicians avoid dangerous three‑drug combinations and reduce emergency visits and hospitalizations for older adults.
How similar studies have performed: Previous research has successfully identified harmful two‑drug interactions, but studies of three‑drug (high‑order) interactions are newer and less established.
Where this research is happening
Columbus, UNITED STATES
- Ohio State University — Columbus, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Donneyong, Macarius M. — Ohio State University
- Study coordinator: Donneyong, Macarius M.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.