Drug utilization evaluation of nonprescription H2-receptor antagonists and alginate-containing preparations for dyspepsia.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use, efficacy and adverse effects of nonprescription H2-receptor antagonists and alginate-containing preparations obtained from community pharmacies.


METHODS
Questionnaires were distributed to customers from 39 pharmacies in Scotland and Wales.


RESULTS
Of 767 customers recruited, 608 (79.3%) returned an initial questionnaire and 472 (61.5%) customers a second questionnaire. The vast majority of respondents (424, 69.7%) had suffered their symptoms on three or more occasions and 369 (60.7%) had previously tried medicines to relieve their symptoms. Referrals to a doctor were less frequent than recommended in guidelines and few of those who were referred actually saw a doctor. Over a quarter of those returning the second questionnaire claimed to be taking more than one product simultaneously for symptom control. Eight customers who were taking prescribed ulcer-healing drugs obtained H2-receptor antagonists. The majority of respondents (355/472, 75. 2%) obtained some or complete symptom relief using the product obtained and 369/472 (78.2%) were completely satisfied with their product. H2-receptor antagonists were more likely to produce complete relief of symptoms than alginate-containing preparations (P < 0.05). Only 14 respondents (3.0%) reported side-effects from the product used which were mostly gastro-intestinal.


CONCLUSIONS
The study demonstrated that drug utilization studies are feasible to carry out in a community pharmacy setting. While the results support published evidence of the efficacy and minimal toxicity of these products, they also highlight the possibility of H2-receptor antagonists being used outwith their licenced indications.
Krska
J
J
Welsh School of Pharmacy, Cardiff University, Cardiff and The Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, UK.
John
D N
DN
Hansford
D
D
Kennedy
E J
EJ
D000328:Adult; D000464:Alginates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003157:Community Pharmacy Services; D015897:Comorbidity; D003625:Data Collection; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012606:Scotland; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014852:Wales
D000464:Alginates; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs