Problems for rheumatic patients in opening dispensed drug containers.
The ability of 50 rheumatoid arthritis patients with hand involvement and 50 normal control subjects to open a range of reclosable tablet containers and unit dose packs was tested. Child-resistant containers, particularly the clic-loc type, proved the most difficult for patients and control subjects to open. Smaller containers were less easy to open than comparable ones of a larger size. Only 54% patients were able to remove a suppository from its wrapping. Blister packs and conventional screw-capped tablet bottles were easiest to open. Dispensing of drugs for rheumatic patients in child-resistant containers should be limited to those without hand involvement.
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D004349:Drug Packaging / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006227:Hand Deformities, Acquired; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged