Inappropriate use of proton pump inhibitors.
BACKGROUND
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are widely used expensive medications.


OBJECTIVE
We performed a cross-sectional study to determine the extent and indication of PPI use in Irish acute medical wards.


METHODS
Fifty-five medical charts were reviewed at the beginning and end of 1 month.


CONCLUSIONS
Thirty-three patients were prescribed PPIs; 26 prior to admission. The prescribing of PPIs was concordant with guideline recommendations in only 30% of cases. Two-thirds of PPI use was unlicensed.
Molloy
D
D
Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, St James's Hospital, Dublin 8, Ireland. debmolloy@eircom.net
Molloy
A
A
O'Loughlin
C
C
Falconer
M
M
Hennessy
M
M
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000368:Aged; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004415:Dyspepsia / Q000188:drug therapy; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D005764:Gastroesophageal Reflux / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007494:Ireland; D064747:Lansoprazole; D008297:Male; D009853:Omeprazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D013276:Stomach Ulcer / Q000188:drug therapy*
D053799:2-Pyridinylmethylsulfinylbenzimidazoles; D000897:Anti-Ulcer Agents; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D054328:Proton Pump Inhibitors; D064747:Lansoprazole; D009853:Omeprazole