The Outpatient Prescribing Pattern of Aluminum - Magnesium Hydroxide Antacid
Nehad J. Ahmed *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia
Menshawy A. Menshawy
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objective: The present study aims to explore the prescribing trends of aluminum hydroxide - magnesium hydroxide in the outpatient setting.
Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted in a public hospital in Al Saih. Prescription data was collected retrospectively from electronic patients records in the outpatient section of the hospital.
Results: A total of 146 outpatients received aluminum hydroxide - magnesium hydroxide antacid between 1st of July till the end of December 2018. Most of the patients were female (61.64%). Out of the 146 prescriptions, 145 were written by residents (99.32%) and only 1 prescription was written by a specialist (0.68%). Most of the prescriptions were written by emergency department (91.79%).
Conclusion: The use of aluminum hydroxide - magnesium hydroxide was uncommon but it should be prescribed carefully and a continuous assessment of its prescribing is required to prevent its adverse events and drug interactions.
Keywords: Aluminum hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, outpatient, prescribing trends