The use of anti-asthmatic medications among pediatric patients in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the use of anti-asthma drugs in Taiwanese pediatric patients.


METHODS
Using the data from the database of Bureau of National Health Insurance, we analyze the patterns and extent of medication use among asthma patients less than 18 years old. Drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification system.


RESULTS
Data on a total of 2,90,467 children were included in the study. Overall, patients were treated more frequently with oral medications. 69.43 and 40.24% of patients were using oral beta-agonists (OBAs) and methylxanthines respectively. Monotherapy with OBAs was the most popular regimen, accounting for 13.70% of the total prescriptions studied. Only 6.70% of patients were taking inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). During the studied period, users of ICSs were using an average of 1.65 canisters.


CONCLUSIONS
The current practices of asthma management in Taiwan fall short of the goals stated in international guidelines. Anti-inflammatory agents were being underused in Taiwanese pediatric patients.
Chen
Chi-Yu
CY
Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Kaohsiung Medical University, 100 Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 80708, Taiwan.
Chiu
Hui-Fen
HF
Yeh
Ming-Kung
MK
Chang
Chih-Ching
CC
Yang
Chun-Yuh
CY
D000280:Administration, Inhalation; D000284:Administration, Oral; D000293:Adolescent; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004363:Drug Utilization; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007665:Ketotifen / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D013624:Taiwan; D014970:Xanthines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000318:Adrenergic beta-Agonists; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents; D014970:Xanthines; C008514:methylxanthine; D007665:Ketotifen