Drug-drug interactions between COVID-19 therapeutics and psychotropic medications

Description

Introduction: The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has led to as well as exacerbated mental health disorders, leading to increased use of psychotropic medications. Co-administration of COVID-19 and psychotropic medications may result in drug-drug interactions (DDIs), that may compromise both the safety and efficacy of both medications. Areas covered: This review provides an update of the current evidence on DDIs between COVID-19 and psychotropic medications. The interactions are categorized into pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic, serotonin syndrome, QT interval prolongation, and other relevant types. A thorough literature search was conducted using electronic databases to identify relevant studies, with data extracted and synthesized narratively to highlight potential DDIs, clinical implications, and management strategies. Expert opinion: Understanding and managing potential DDIs between COVID-19 and psychotropic medications is paramount to ensuring safe and effective treatment of patients with COVID-19 and mental illness. Awareness of the diverse spectrum of DDIs, vigilant monitoring, and judicious dose modifications, while choosing pharmacotherapeutic options with low risk of interaction whenever possible, are necessary. Ongoing and future investigations should continue to review and assess the dynamic landscape of COVID-19 therapeutic modalities and carefully elucidate their interactions with psychotropic medications. This ongoing commitment to research is critical to providing clinicians with contemporaneous insights, thereby enabling them to skillfully navigate the complexities of managing individuals struggling with mental health disorders in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

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