Drug Interaction Knowledge, Attitudes, and Practices: A Social Media-Based Survey of the Syrian Population

Abstract

Prescribing multiple medications increases the risk of drug interactions, which can be classified or ranked using various terms and methods. Drugs can interact with other drugs, foods, beverages, and herbs, both inside and outside the body. Understanding public awareness of medication use is crucial for maintaining health. This study assessed the knowledge and personal experiences of drug interactions among 140 Syrians via a social media survey. The participant demographic was predominantly female (55.1%), aged 20-30 (58.3%), held a bachelor's degree (57%), and worked in the healthcare field (77.1%). All respondents (100%) were aware of drug interactions, with Drug-Drug interactions being the most recognized type (88.1%). The majority of respondents (70.3%) read medication leaflets and perceived the risk of interactions as moderate (53.4%) . Notably, 54.2% of participants reported having personally experienced a serious drug interaction, with nausea/vomiting (46.8%) being the most common symptom. Upon suspicion of an interaction, most consulted a doctor (55.9%) or a pharmacist (37.3%). While 58.6% felt sufficiently informed about drug interactions, an apparent reliance on and preference for pharmacists was evident: they were a primary information source (57.3%) and the most preferred method for gaining awareness (55.9%). In conclusion, despite high theoretical awareness, a significant portion of this health-literate cohort experienced drug interactions, underscoring a critical gap between knowledge and real-world outcomes. The central role of pharmacists was highlighted as a key resource for public education and intervention