PARACETAMOL PRESCRIBING - AN EPIDEMIC

Background. Although we are uncertain of its therapeutic mechanism, pa racetamol is seen as a safe drug, especially for children. However, ad ult fatalities from overdose and its association with hepatotoxicity h ave cast doubt on its safety. Objective. We aimed to establish the pre scribing patterns of paracetamol in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Me thod. The prescribing patterns in the UAE for paracetamol were studied by obtaining information on national utilization and recording in det ail the pattern of prescribing in one primary health care centre. Resu lts. Paracetamol was included in 35.5% of all prescriptions from the s tudy practice. Of these, 58.5% were for children under 12 years of age and overall 13.5% were for those infants under one year of age. Concl usions. National prescribing utilization is in keeping with the prescr ibing patterns of the index practice. Paracetamol prescribing is reach ing epidemic proportions and the potential dangers of hepatotoxicity a nd the inhibition of the immune response in children are discussed.