Assessment of the Knowledge of Drug Interactions among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Bauchi State, North East Nigeria

Background: Type 2 diabetes management frequently involves multiple medications, increasing the risk of clinically significant drug interactions. Patient awareness of such interactions is an important element of safe self-management. This study assessed knowledge of drug interactions among type 2 diabetic patients at a referral hospital in Bauchi State. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 220 type 2 diabetic patients attending the endocrinology clinic of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University Teaching Hospital, Bauchi. A validated questionnaire evaluated understanding of drug-drug and drug-food interactions, awareness of specific diabetic drug interactions, and sources of drug information. Results: Overall drug interaction knowledge was poor in 71 percent of respondents. Awareness of alcohol-metformin interactions was found in only 22 percent, while knowledge of hypoglycaemia risk from combining insulin with beta-blockers was found in 14 percent. Pharmacist visits were the highest-rated source of reliable information (43%). Education level was significantly associated with better drug interaction knowledge (p less than 0.05). Conclusion: Knowledge of drug interactions among diabetic patients in Bauchi is critically low. Patient education on common diabetic drug interactions should be integrated into routine outpatient consultations. Keywords: drug interactions, type 2 diabetes, patient knowledge, Bauchi, pharmaceutical education