title: Predictors of over-the-counter drug and herbal therapies use in elderly patients with heart failure.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Over-the-counter (OTC) drug and herbal therapies (HT) may worsen heart failure or interact with prescription medications. Frequency of and predictors for routine OTC drug and HT use are not well studied.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We examined routine use of OTC drug and HT in patients at 8 medical centers. Medical conditions independently associated with use of OTC drugs, HT, or both were assessed using multivariable logistic regression models. Of 374 subjects, OTC drug and HT were routinely used by 349 and 43 patients, respectively. Mean age was 69.6 +/- 13.1 years, 63% were male, and 81% were Caucasian. Common OTC drugs were antiplatelets (baby-dose aspirin), vitamins, acetaminophen, antacids, laxatives, and calcium. The most common HT used was echinacea. History of hypercholesterolemia was associated with higher OTC drug use (OR 4.36; 95% CI 1.60-11.87; P = .004); renal failure predicted less use (OR 0.09; 95% CI 0.01-0.59; P = .013). History of hypertension was associated with less HT use (OR 0.47, 95% CI 0.24-0.92; P = .028).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In HF patients, routine use of OTC drugs was common, but HT use was not. OTC drugs were used more often in patients with hypercholesterolemia and were used for a variety of reasons; thus, routine assessment and individualized education are advocated.
authors.affiliation: Kaufman Center for Heart Failure, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH 44195, USA. albertn@ccf.org
authors.forename: Nancy M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Albert
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rathman
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ross
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bena
authors.forename: Shannon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: McIntyre
authors.forename: Diane
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Philip
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Siedlecki
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lovelace
authors.forename: Annette M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Fogarty
authors.forename: Barbara
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Maikut
authors.forename: Patricia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Zielinski
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods; D019587:Dietary Supplements / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D006333:Heart Failure / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008517:Phytotherapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000379:methods
chemical_list: D004366:Nonprescription Drugs