title: [Use of cold and cough medications prescribed in Primary Care clinics for children less than 14 years].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate cold and cough medications and their suitability in children in Primary Health Care in Area V of the Asturian Health Service.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional, descriptive and retrospective study was conducted in which an analysis was performed of the respiratory diseases and the prescriptions of 6 Primary Health Care paediatricians who worked in Area V of the Asturian Health Service in 2011. An evaluation was made on the suitability of these medications. An analysis was also made of the drug datasheet and clinical recommendations (clinical guidelines, protocols or reports).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 424 cold and cough drugs: 249 antitussives, 155 mucolytics, and 20 "others" were analyzed. The mean age was 5 years old. There was a total of 85.1% unsuitable prescriptions. Off-label drugs were used in 11.6%. The prescribing was considered unsuitable in 82.8% of prescriptions associated with R74, and 73% of R05. All of the prescription drugs in children under 6 years old were unsuitable. Mucolytics/"others" were not suitable in 99.4%, nor antitussives in 75.1%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  There is a high level of cold and cough drugs being prescribed in children, with 85% of these being unsuitable. Children should only receive drugs with a good risk and benefit ratio. Pediatricians should try to improve the information about pediatric drug use and spread this information to parents, doctors and nurses.
authors: Centro de Salud Severo Ochoa, Gijón, Asturias, España. Electronic address: crisucamed@gmail.com.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Suárez-Castañón
authors: Coordinación de Farmacia, Dirección de Servicios Sanitarios del SESPA, Oviedo, Asturias, España.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Modroño-Riaño
authors: Centro de Salud Puerta La Villa, Gijón, Asturias, España.
authors: P
authors: P
authors: López-Vilar
authors: Centro de Salud El Coto, Gijón, Asturias, España.
authors: J
authors: J
authors: Martínez-Blanco
authors: Unidad de Consultoría Estadística, Universidad de Oviedo, Campus Universitario de Viesques, Gijón, Asturias, España.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Iglesias-Cabo
authors: AGC de Pediatría, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Oviedo, Asturias, España.
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Solís-Sánchez
mesh_terms: D000996:Antitussive Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005100:Expectorants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D057970:Inappropriate Prescribing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D056687:Off-Label Use / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011320:Primary Health Care; D012140:Respiratory Tract Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013030:Spain
chemical_list: D000996:Antitussive Agents; D005100:Expectorants
keywords: Anticatarrales; Atención Primaria; Children; Infecciones respiratorias; Niños; Primary Care; Respiratory tract infections; Systemic cold and cough medicines