The Prescribing Trends of Digoxin in the Outpatient Setting
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 aim of this study was to determine digoxin prescribing pattern in the outpatient setting in Alkharj.
Methods: This retrospective study included a review of outpatient records between in 2017 and 2018. It included the entire outpatient who received digoxin during the study period.
Results: Only 38 patients received digoxin during 2017 and in 2018, 31 patients received digoxin. More than half of the patients receiving digoxin in 2018 were males (58.06%) and about 54.84% of them aged more than 59 years. Most of the prescribers were residents (77.42%). More than 61 % of the prescriptions were written by cardiology department followed by emergency department (22.58%).
Conclusion: The use of digoxin is uncommon in the outpatient department in Alkharj nonetheless it has a narrow therapeutic window and it should be prescribed carefully because of its adverse events. It is also important to increase the awareness of healthcare providers and patients about digoxin use.
Keywords: Cardiac glycoside, digoxin, prescribing pattern, outpatient.