Use of nonprescription medications by patients with congestive heart failure

Citation
Ml. Ackman et al., Use of nonprescription medications by patients with congestive heart failure, ANN PHARMAC, 33(6), 1999, pp. 674-679
Citations number
41
Categorie Soggetti
Pharmacology
Journal title
ANNALS OF PHARMACOTHERAPY
ISSN journal
10600280 → ACNP
Volume
33
Issue
6
Year of publication
1999
Pages
674 - 679
Database
ISI
SICI code
1060-0280(199906)33:6<674:UONMBP>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To define the utilization pattern of nonprescription therapies i n patients with congestive heart failure (CHF) and to compare this pattern with that of an age- and gender-matched control group without any self-repo rted heart conditions. DESIGN: Survey questionnaire completed by participants at home. SETTING: Ambulatory CHF clinic in a tertiary care hospital, SUBJECTS: Patients attending the clinic between July 1995 and May 1996 who agreed to participate. Control subjects were age- and gender-matched partic ipants identified and approached by participating patients. OUTCOME MEASURES: Nonprescription therapies used at least once weekly. RESULTS: Completed questionnaires were received from 180 (75%) of the 239 p atients who agreed to participate and from 133 controls. Mean age of respon ding patients was 69 years (63% men). Controls were younger, with a mean ag e of 64 years (63% men). The most commonly used nonprescription medication categories for both patients and controls, with no significant intergroup d ifferences, were vitamins and minerals (59% patients, 50% controls), pain r elievers (48% and 43%, respectively), herbal or health food products (38% a nd 38%), antacids (26% and 28%), and laxatives (24% and 21%). Significantly fewer patients than controls used cough and cold products (9% vs. 17%; p < 0.05), specifically oral decongestants (0.6% vs. 5%; p < 0.01), and more p atients than controls used nutritional supplements (17% vs. 4%; p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Overall, use of nonprescription therapies by our CHF clinic pa tients is similar to that of an age- and gender-matched population without a self-reported heart condition. The differences in medication use observed between patients and controls included cough and cold products that might be harmful. This likely reflects appropriate caution with which CHF patient s approach nonprescription therapies.