How hospital patients use antiulcer drugs: An observational study in a general hospital in Bangladesh

Abstract

According to reports, anti-ulcer medications proton pump inhibitor (PPI) have been used in unsuitable clinical contexts, which frequently increases the risk of side effects, drug interactions, and expenses. Examining the suitability of PPI medication and its use with frequency for patients in Bangladeshi hospital was the goal of this study. In a tertiary care hospital, a two-month cross-sectional study was conducted to assess the types of PPI prescription, their appropriateness, and their tendency to be used. Following signed informed consent, 166 patients who were prescribed PPI at the time of discharge were enrolled, and information was gathered using a structured questionnaire. A total of 166 PPI-prescribed patients were interviewed. All of them were in the age between 20-65 years. Among the 166 PPI users, 86 were male and 80 were female. Among the 166 PPI users, 68 (41% approx.) properly used PPI according to prescription and direction, 98 (59% approx.) used PPI medication improperly. This study shows that PPIs are being used excessively. It is vital to enhance PPI prescription in order to decrease medication interactions, side effects, and needless financial outlays.