Bisphosphonate use and subsequent prescription of acid suppressants.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the extent of prescribing of acid suppression agents associated with initiation of bisphosphonate therapy.


METHODS
This was a case control study, performed within the General Practice Network, Australia. The main outcome measure was re-attendance within six weeks from index bisphosphonate prescription for acid supression agents.


RESULTS
Of the bisphosphonate cases, 2.9%[95% confidence interval (CI) 1.8, 3.9] returned within 6 weeks for a prescription for proton pump inhibitor, histamine 2 receptor antagonist or antacid, compared with 0.9% of control patients (95% CI 0.5, 1.2). However, the bisphosphonate cases had significantly higher rates of previous use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents. After controlling for previous nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug use, the increased use of acid suppression agents was statistically significant, the odds ratio = 3.21 (95% CI 2.02, 5.11).


CONCLUSIONS
Bisphosphonate use appears to be associated with increased use of acid suppressant agents within 6 weeks of first supply.
Roughead
E E
EE
Quality Use of Medicines and Pharmacy Research Centre, School of Pharmaceutical Molecular and Biomedical Sciences, University of South Australia, North Terrace, Adelaide 5000, South Australia, Australia. libby.roughead@unisa.edu.au
McGeechan
K
K
Sayer
G P
GP
D000368:Aged; D000863:Antacids / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004164:Diphosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004935:Esophageal Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005194:Family Practice; D005260:Female; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors
D000863:Antacids; D004164:Diphosphonates; D006635:Histamine H2 Antagonists; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors