INTRODUCTION Ergot derivatives are drugs with vasoconstrictor effects that are used to abort migraine attacks. This study aims to determine how ergot derivatives are prescribed by physicians in Colombia, find variables associated with inappropriate prescribing, and review potential interactions in our patients. METHODS We reviewed 86 411 formulas during April 2012, identifying the prescriptio...

Human albumin is frequently used without regard for the relationship between its pharmacological properties and the respective disease. We investigated the prescription of human albumin in a Brazilian public hospital with emphasis on adherence to international guidelines. Data were gathered from pharmacy and medical records. From March to August 2001, 99 patients (>or= 15 years) received 1,475 ...

BACKGROUND Medication policy development in Thailand is continually promoting rational drug use. Letrozole, an endocrine therapy drug, is usually prescribed for post-menopausal status early and advanced stage breast cancer. After Ministry of Public Health announced Letrozole as compulsory licensed drug in 2009, more breast cancer patients can access to this drug at low cost especially those wit...

Inappropriate analgesic prescriptions is associated with poor management of pain leading to low recovery, high morbidity, increase hospital stay, decrease patient satisfaction, high costs of admission and adverse drug reactions. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess the analgesic usage by the medical prescribers at the inpatient and outpatient clinic of a teaching hospital. The study wa...

A STAGGERING 113.4 MILLION PRESCRIPtions for proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are filled each year, making this class of drugs, at $13.9 billion in sales, the third highest seller in the United States. These medications are effective for treatment of erosive and ulcerative esophagitis, Barrett esophagus, ZollingerEllison syndrome, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), as well as for short-te...

BACKGROUND Consumers receive over 27 million antibiotic prescriptions annually in Australian primary healthcare. Hence, consumers are a key group to engage in the fight against antibiotic resistance. There is a paucity of research pertaining to consumers in the Australian healthcare environment. This study aimed to investigate the perspectives, attitudes and behaviours of Australian consumers o...