JOURNAL OF ASIAN ASSOCIATION OF SCHOOLS OF PHARMACY - Volume 5, January - December, 2016

Pages: 341-345
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The Prescribing Pattern of Proton Pump Inhibitors by Non-gastroenterologists in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Author: Mohammed A Alzahrani, Basma A Al Ghamdi, Hana S Al ahmari, Eman Ali Alqahtani, Ameen G Saleh, Mohammed Elbagir K Ahmed

Category: Pharmacy

Abstract:

Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely prescribed classes of medications. Their superior acid suppression lead to its use for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease, helicobacter eradication, and other gastrointestinal problems. However, irrational use outside the approved indications is observed in some settings. The objective is to study the prescription pattern of PPI outside the gastroenterology service and whether this conforms to the best practice guidelines. This was a retrospective descriptive cross sectional study in Aseer central hospital, a tertiary teaching hospital in Abha, Saudi Arabia over a 2-month period. The charts of all new patients who were prescribed PPI outside the gastroenterology service were reviewed. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis. The study included 114 (71 females, 94% Saudis) with mean age of 51.8 (SD 22 years. Range: 13 to 96 years.) The frequencies of prescriptions in different disciplines showed that Cardiovascular disorders (acute coronary syndromes, atrial fibrillation and heart failure) had the highest frequency (37 patients) followed by the neurology division (13 patients with stroke.), respiratory disorders: 12 (pneumonia & COPD), and trauma.(12 patients) Co-administered drugs such as aspirin, clopidogrel, and warfarin were observed in over 40 patients.. The IV route was used in 74 out of the 114 (65%), out of whom 46 patients were able to take orally. Outside the gastrointestinal service, PPIs were irrationally used, sometimes without a guideline support. The IV route was unnecessarily used in the majority of patients.Doctors should abide by the guidelines when they prescribe PPIs.

Keywords: Proton Pump Inhibitors Prescribing Hospital