The Outpatient Prescribing of Topical Betamethasone in Al-Kharj
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.
Mohd. Faiyaz Khan
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The present study aimed to describe the prescribing pattern of topical betamethasone in the outpatient setting in Alkharj.
Methodology: This retrospective study that included collecting data from the electronic prescriptions in a public hospital in Alkharj in 2018.
Results: During the study period from Jan to Dec 2018 only 46 patients received topical betamethasone. Most of the patients were female (63.04%). About 71.74% of the prescribed betamethasone was in ointment form and 28.26% in lotion form. Most of the prescribers were residents (97.83%). Most of the prescriptions were written by dermatology department (58.70%).
Conclusion: The use of topical betamethasone was uncommon and this could be due to the availability of other topical corticosteroids and other alternatives. It is important to increase the knowledge of health care workers and the patients regarding the use of topical corticosteroids.
Keywords: Betamethasone, corticosteroids, outpatient, prescribing, topical