Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41266531›Full record

ArticleScientific reports2025

Pharmacological risks of khat-oral antidiabetic drug interactions among patients at Gondar university referral hospital.

Assefa Kebad Mengesha, Habtamu Semagne Ayele, Alemante Tafese Beyna, Sisay Tarekegn Gebiyaw, Tewodros Ayalew Tessema, Muluken Adela Alemu, Tewodros Denekew Haile

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Article in Scientific reports, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

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7 authors.

Assefa Kebad MengeshaDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. asielove23@gmail.com.
Habtamu Semagne AyeleDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Alemante Tafese BeynaDepartment of Pharmacology, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Sisay Tarekegn GebiyawDepartment of Pharmacology, Teda Health Science College, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Tewodros Ayalew TessemaDepartment of Pharmaceutics, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.
Muluken Adela AlemuDepartment of Pharmacy, Debre Tabor University, Debre Tabor, Amhara, Ethiopia.
Tewodros Denekew HaileDepartment of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, School of Pharmacy, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundKhat (Catha edulis), a psychoactive plant commonly chewed in Ethiopia, is known to influence drug metabolism through its active compound, cathinone. Among patients with T2DM, concurrent khat chewing and OAD use may result in pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic interactions, particularly in polypharmacy contexts. Despite these concerns, the clinical relevance of khat-OAD interactions remains poorly understood in high-prevalence, low-resource settings.

methodsThis study assessed the prevalence, predictors, and perceptions of potential khat-OAD interactions among T2DM patients. A convergent parallel mixed-methods design was employed from July 1 to December 30, 2024, at Gondar University Hospital, Ethiopia. A total of 422 adult T2DM patients on OAD therapy who reported khat use were systematically sampled. Quantitative data on demographics, clinical profiles, medication use, and khat chewing behaviors were collected through structured interviews and verified via medical records. Potential interactions were identified using drug interaction databases, and logistic regression was used to determine independent predictors. Additionally, in-depth interviews with 20 patients and healthcare providers explored awareness, perceptions, and clinical experiences related to khat use and diabetes care.

resultsAmong the 422 participants, 63.3% (n = 267) had at least one potential khat-OAD interaction, and 23.2% (n = 98) experienced a major interaction. The most frequently implicated drugs were glibenclamide and sitagliptin. Significant predictors of interaction included female sex (AOR = 1.38; 95% CI: 1.00-1.89), polypharmacy with ≥ 7 medications (AOR = 2.43; 95% CI: 1.61-3.67), daily khat use (AOR = 2.20; 95% CI: 1.52-3.18), and khat use for ≥ 13 years (AOR = 1.09; 95% CI: 1.04-1.15). Qualitative findings highlighted the widespread cultural normalization of khat chewing, low patient awareness of potential interactions, and gaps in provider counseling.

conclusionsHarmful khat-OAD interactions are common among T2DM patients in Northwest Ethiopia, primarily driven by behavioral and treatment-related factors, highlighting the need for culturally sensitive pharmacovigilance and patient education. CLINICAL TRIAL NUMBER: Not applicable.

Indexed as

CathaDiabetes Mellitus, Type 2Herb-Drug InteractionsHypoglycemic AgentsAdministration, OralAdultAgedAlkaloidsDrug InteractionsEthiopiaFemaleHospitals, UniversityHumansMaleMiddle AgedAlkaloidscathinoneHypoglycemic AgentsCatha edulisHerb–drug interactionKhatOral antidiabetic drugsPharmacovigilanceType 2 diabetes mellitus

Identifiers

PMID41266531
PMCPMC12635367

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