INJUDICIOUS USE OF PROTON PUMP INHIBITORS ON IRREGULAR BASIS WITHOUT PRESCRIPTION – AN ALARMING SITUATION

Abstract

ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are one of widely used drug agents primarily
indicated for the acid peptic disorders. OBJECTIVE: Determine the Prescription Patterns of
Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPI) at the outpatient department (OPD) of a tertiary care hospital of
Sindh, STUDY DESIGN: Retrospective study, PLACE AND DURATION: Department of
Pharmacology and Medicine, Peoples University of Medical and Health Sciences for Women from
February 2019 to August 2020. METHODS: Previous records of 300 outpatient department
(OPD) subjects were checked during the study period. OPD sample was selected by probability
non – purposive convenient sampling. Age, gender and GI symptoms PPI used for were entered in
proforma. PPI class, duration of use, frequency of use, and prescription or non-prescription
patterns were noted. Data variables were saved in a pre – structured proforma. Data was analyzed
on SPSS (version 21.0) and Microsoft Excel sheet. Data was presented as tables showing
frequency and % of variable. RESULTS: Omeprazole was used by 31% followed by
dexlansoprazole 29%, esomeprazole 21%, pantoprazole 7.3%, lansoprazole 7.6% and rabeprazole
by 4% of subject’s respectively (table - 2). PPI were being used as long durations as >5 years noted
in 18.6% on irregular basis (35.6%) and without prescription (63.0%). CONCLUSION: We found
injudicious use of proton pump inhibitors on irregular basis without prescription that needs to be
controlled by the health authorities.