Safe Prescribing and Drug - Drug Interactions: Lessons from history

Drug–drug interactions are a leading, and preventable, cause of patient harm and a growing source of malpractice liability for nurse practitioners. As polypharmacy rises, so does prescribing risk. In this session, expert clinician Dr. Wendy Wright, DNP, APRN reviews the most clinically significant interaction mechanisms and explores high-risk drug combinations involving statins, anticoagulants, lithium, macrolides, and antivirals, and apply evidence-based strategies to prevent prescribing errors. Topics include herb–drug interactions affecting INR, narrow therapeutic index monitoring, and malpractice risk-reduction through documentation and patient counseling. Real-world prescribing errors reinforce safe, patient-centered practice.