Table 7

Sample of erroneous answers discovered in databases

Category
Question
Correct answer used for assessment
Erroneous answer(s)
Database(s)

Dosing
What is the recommended dosing regimen for fosamprenavir in a protease inhibitor-experienced HIV+ patient who wants once daily dosing?
Once daily dosing is not recommended for this type of patient
• 700 mg by mouth once daily plus ritonavir 100 mg twice daily for PI experienced patients
• PPDC

Adverse Drug Reaction
Can ethionamide cause impotence?
Yes, but it is a rare ADR.
• Listed as a common reaction
• JHAG

Method of Administration
How do you administer Synagis?
Remove flip top from Synagis vial and wipe rubber stopper with a disinfectant (e.g., 70% isopropyl alcohol). Insert needle into vial, and withdraw into syringe an appropriate volume of solution. Administer immediately after drawing dose into syringe. Synagis is supplied as single-dose vial and does not contain preservatives. Do not re-enter vial after withdrawal of drug; discard unused portion. Only administer one dose per vial.
• Provides information about scheduling multiple patients for multiple injections from same vial to minimize waste
• CP

Indication
Should amantadine be given as prophylaxis against influenza A?
It should not be used in the 2007–2008 influenza season due to resistance.
• Provides pediatric dosing information for this indication
• Lists influenza A prophylaxis as an indication
• PPDC
• DM
• IDI

Drug-Food interaction
How should didanosine be taken in regards to food?
Didanosine should be taken on an empty stomach at least 30 minutes before or 2 hours after food. Do not take didanosine or didanosine EC with food.
• Provides contradictory information: States that didanosine can be taken with or without food in one sentence and the following statement states to take on an empty stomach 30 minutes before or 2 hours after food.
• EOF
• EOP
• DIO

CP = Clinical Pharmacology; DIO = DIOne; DM = DailyMed; EOF = Epocrates Online Free; EOP = Epocrates Online Premium; IDI = Internet Drug Index; JHAG = Johns Hopkins ABX Guide; PPDC = PEPID PDC

Polen et al. BMC Infectious Diseases 2008 8:153   doi:10.1186/1471-2334-8-153