Characteristics of elderly patients who consider over-the-counter medications as safe

Wawruch, Martin; Kuželová, M; Foltánová, Tatiana; Ondriašová, Elena; Luha, Ján; Dukát, Andrej; Murı́n, J; Shah, Rajiv

doi:10.1007/s11096-012-9718-z

Cited by 22 publications

(32 citation statements)

References 13 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…This study is limited in that the self‐selected sample was drawn from seven community pharmacies in regional New South Wales, Australia and may have included individuals buying these NSAID products for the first time and/or for use by others. The majority of participants were female (68.7%), which is consistent with other research regarding NSAIDs 25,36 . The methodology resulted in the majority of the sample being highly educated and having adequate functional health literacy, which is not reflective of the population as a whole 20 .…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

“…The majority of participants were female (68.7%), which is consistent with other research regarding NSAIDs. 25,36 The methodology resulted in the majority of the sample being highly educated and having adequate functional health literacy, which is not reflective of the population as a whole. 20 It is worth noting that those with inadequate health literacy are more likely to have bigger gaps in their knowledge of the safe use of NSAIDs, which in turn could place them at increased risk of experiencing NSAID-related adverse drug events and requires further investigation.…”

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

Consumer knowledge about over‐the‐counter NSAIDs: they don't know what they don't know

Mullan

Weston

Bonney

et al. 2017

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: To investigate consumers' knowledge about commonly purchased over-the-counter (OTC) products containing ibuprofen.Methods: Customers buying two popular OTC ibuprofen-containing products (Nurofen or Nurofen Plus) were asked to complete a short survey assessing their knowledge about the products. Results:The survey was completed by 262 respondents, most of whom were older than 50 years of age; female; well-educated; with adequate functional health literacy. The majority correctly identified ibuprofen as an active ingredient and knew the correct intervals between doses. However, almost a third couldn't correctly identify the maximum daily dose and were unaware of some contraindications. Furthermore, fewer than half recognised potential side effects. Those who hadn't completed high school were significantly less likely to seek medical advice (when required) and significantly less likely to know when it was safe to take these products. Conclusions:The gaps in consumer knowledge, especially about the maximum daily dose, contraindications and potential side effects may be placing consumers at risk of experiencing ibuprofen-related adverse events.Implications for public health: Improving consumer knowledge to address these gaps in their understanding about the safe use of popular OTC ibuprofen-containing products is an important public health concern.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 84%

Section: Limitationsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Consumer knowledge about over‐the‐counter NSAIDs: they don't know what they don't know

Mullan

Weston

Bonney

et al. 2017

Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Knowledge about other potential interactions was unrelated to discussions with healthcare providers, suggesting that patients may not have asked about other OTC products. Potentially problematic OTC product–DOAC interactions may not be recognized by clinicians because patients typically do not tell their providers before or after they start taking OTC products, either patients take these products sporadically or they believe that OTC products are safe …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Potentially problematic OTC product-DOAC interactions may not be recognized by clinicians because patients typically do not tell their providers before or after they start taking OTC products, [30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39] either patients take these products sporadically or they believe that OTC products are safe. [39][40][41] Patients who have taken OTC medications or dietary supplements without any problems prior to starting apixaban may not consider potential interactions, particularly if they ingest the supplements as part of their diet. For example, certain ethnic groups may regularly incorporate dietary supplements, such as turmeric and Chinese herbs, in their meals, and unless providers ask them, patients may not realize they are important to disclose.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevalence and Knowledge of Potential Interactions Between Over‐the‐Counter Products and Apixaban

Tarn

Barrientos

Wang

et al. 2019

J American Geriatrics Society

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

BACKGROUND Direct‐acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs), such as apixaban, are the most commonly prescribed anticoagulants, with advantages in that they do not require routine monitoring. However, less frequent contact with healthcare professionals may contribute to poor patient knowledge about potential interactions between over‐the‐counter (OTC) products and DOACs. OBJECTIVE Determine the prevalence of use of OTC products (OTC medications and dietary supplements) with potentially serious apixaban interactions and assess patient knowledge of potential interactions. DESIGN Cross‐sectional survey. SETTING Academic‐affiliated outpatient medical practices in northern and southern California. PARTICIPANTS A total of 791 English‐ or Spanish‐speaking patients prescribed apixaban. MEASUREMENTS Use and knowledge of OTC medications and dietary supplements with potentially serious apixaban interactions. RESULTS Almost all respondents (n = 771; 97.5%) reported OTC product use. Of respondents, 33% (n = 266) took at least one OTC product with potentially serious apixaban interactions daily/most days and 53 (6.7%) took multiple products (mean = 2.6 [SD = 2.6]). Aspirin was taken daily by 116 (14.7%; of which 75 [64.7%] also consumed other potentially interacting OTC products), and some days/as needed by an additional 82 (10.4%). Ibuprofen and naproxen were taken daily/most days by 14 (1.8%) and occasionally by 225 (28.5%). Dietary supplements with potentially serious interactions were taken daily/most days by 160 (20.2%). Approximately 66% of respondents were either uncertain or incorrect about the potential for increased bleeding from combining nonsteroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs and apixaban. Less knowledge about OTC products with potentially serious interactions was associated with greater OTC product use (odds ratio = 0.54; 95% confidence interval = 0.35‐0.85). CONCLUSION Significant numbers of patients take OTC products (particularly dietary supplements) with potentially serious interactions with the DOAC apixaban and appear to lack knowledge about potentially harmful interactions. Interventions are needed to educate patients and healthcare providers about potential dangers of taking interacting OTC products in combination with apixaban, and data are needed on outcomes associated with concomitant apixaban–OTC product use. J Am Geriatr Soc 68:155–162, 2019

show abstract

“…The use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines has increased significantly in recent years (Amoako et al 2003 ; Goh et al 2009 ), but despite the positive aspects, such as improved availability of medicines, decreased number of physicians’ visits for minor illnesses and self-limiting conditions, and the increase of patients involvement in their treatment, patients do not fully comprehend the risks accompanying self-treatment, such as prolonged use, wrong dosage, side effects, and possible drug-drug interactions (Eickhoff et al 2012 ). Patients consider OTC medicines to be safe (Ngo et al 2010 ; Wawruch et al 2013 ) and only regard their positive effects; therefore, they often ignore patient information leaflets and base their use of medicines on prior experience (Cullen et al 2006 ; Hanna and Hughes 2011 ; Hughes et al 2002 ; Wirtz et al 2009 ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Safety concerns in simultaneous use of prescription and 'over-the-counter’ medicines- results of patient survey in Estonia

Gavronski

Volmer

2014

SpringerPlus

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

During the last decades, the share of population using prescription (Rx) medicines has considerably increased. With the wider introduction of self-medication and the use of over-the-counter (OTC) medicines, there is a real threat for drug-drug interactions between Rx and OTC medicines neither identified nor overseen by healthcare specialists.The objectives of this survey were to ascertain how often, and for what conditions OTC and Rx medicines are used simultaneously, and to discuss possible health hazards connected with the concomitant use of these medicines.This survey was designed as a descriptive, cross-sectional questionnaire-based interview which was conducted amongst pharmacy customers and patients in urban and rural areas of Estonia in between 2010–2012.In total, 712 respondents participated in the survey. Of those, 50.4% reported concomitant use of Rx and OTC medicines during the survey. The simultaneous use of Rx and OTC medicines increased with age and the number of chronic diseases (both p < 0.001). Of chronic patients, 37.1% used Rx and OTC medicines on a daily basis over a four-week period before the survey, and considering reported chronic diseases and the most widespread OTC medicines, they could encounter drug-drug interactions between Rx medicines (e.g. antihypertensives, anti-inflammatory medicines) and OTC medicines (e.g. paracetamol, NSAID-s, herbal medicines and adsorbents).The present survey revealed frequent concomitant use of Rx and OTC medicines. Especially vulnerable are chronic and elderly patients. In the future, both patients and healthcare specialists should pay more attention to possible drug-drug interactions of Rx and OTC medicines.

show abstract

Characteristics of elderly patients who consider over-the-counter medications as safe

Abstract: The survey identified various factors that influenced the perceptions of the safety of OTC medications by the elderly and indicated that pharmacists represent the most trusted source of information about OTC medications.

Cited by 22 publications

References 13 publications

Consumer knowledge about over‐the‐counter NSAIDs: they don't know what they don't know

Consumer knowledge about over‐the‐counter NSAIDs: they don't know what they don't know

Prevalence and Knowledge of Potential Interactions Between Over‐the‐Counter Products and Apixaban

Safety concerns in simultaneous use of prescription and 'over-the-counter’ medicines- results of patient survey in Estonia

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About