Medication use patterns in HIV-positive patients.
Patients with HIV infection or AIDS often receive several medications for treatment or prevention of their primary disease and/or associated complications. The objective of this study was to document patterns of drug use in an HIV-positive, outpatient population. Data were collected via one-on-one interviews with 26 HIV-positive patients; prescription and non-prescription drug use, adverse drug reactions and drug allergies were recorded. Anti-retroviral therapy was received by over 90 % of the patients. Over 90% of patients were on anti-infective agents, commonly cotrimoxazole or dapsone, while 27% received acyclovir. At least 70% of patients used three or more prescription medications concurrently. Every patient reported self-medicating with at least one over-the-counter (OTC) product and over half used three or more OTC products concurrently. Adverse reactions, mainly attributable to zidovudine, were reported by over 80% of patients. Non-compliance was a common drug-related issue; over 70% of patients omitted drug doses. In conclusion, the use of multiple medications in the ambulatory HIV-positive patients presents the health care team with potential drug-related problems that may ultimately affect the efficacy and toxicity of therapy. Thus pharmacists may play an active role in the provision of direct care to these patients.
Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto.
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Chow
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Chin
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Fong
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Bendayan
D000328:Adult; D003625:Data Collection; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D004358:Drug Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D009864:Ontario; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D010045:Outpatients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010349:Patient Compliance; D010607:Pharmacy Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*