Drug utilization review: dipyridamole plus aspirin antiplatelet therapy.
To assess whether dipyridamole was being used appropriately in providing antiplatelet therapy at the San Diego VAMC, a drug utilization review was conducted. Concomitant aspirin therapy was required for dipyridamole to be considered effective in the disease states reviewed. Seventy-three patients on antiplatelet therapy were evaluated, using dosing criteria established through a literature review. Our data indicated tht based on the criteria, only 11% of patients received dipyridamole in appropriate doses; it was underdosed in 89% of patients, and in 19% of patients, it was used when not indicated. In addition, 19% of patients did not receive concomitant aspirin therapy. Results suggest hat dipyridamole is not used optimally in providing antiplatelet therapy to patients in this institution.
D001241:Aspirin / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D001792:Blood Platelets / Q000187:drug effects; D002140:California; D004176:Dipyridamole / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004363:Drug Utilization; D006801:Humans