Utilization of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in patients attending clinics in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are widely prescribed worldwide. In Nigeria there is unrestricted access to these useful, yet potentially harmful drugs. We set out to assess the utilization of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in outpatients attending clinics in a Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Consecutive patients were interviewed using a structured questionnaire until 200 respondents were obtained. Data were analyzed using the Microsoft Excel and SPSS software. All patients had taken traditional (non-selective) non-steroidal drugs. Piroxicam was the most frequently used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug. 15.5% of patients had experienced adverse drug reactions, chiefly abdominal pain/discomfort. 20% of patients had used two or more non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs concurrently. Community drug outlets were the preferred sources of purchase with significantly more patients with primary or no education purchasing their drugs from these sources (p=0.05). Patients who purchased their drugs from community outlets took non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in combination significantly more than those who purchased from hospital outlets (p=0.032). Age above 60 years was associated with a preference for prescription non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs rather than self-dosing or prescriptions from unqualified persons (p=0.004). Interventions to improve the utilization of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs should include regulation to limit the number of drugs available over-the-counter. Other interventions should focus on community drug outlets which contribute significantly to ‘prescriptions' for and sourcing of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Keywords: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, drug utilization

West African Journal of Pharmacology and Drug Research Vol. 21 (1&2) 2005: pp. 22-30