1. SUPRATHERAPEUTIC USE OF OVER-THE-COUNTER (OTC) ANALGESICS BY PATIENTS REPORTING TO AN URBAN DENTAL CLINIC
- Author
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Havey, JM, Hill, RE, Robins, CW, Bogdan, GM, Daly, FFS, Zallen, R, and Dart, RC
- Subjects
Toxicology -- Research ,Environmental issues ,Health ,Pharmaceuticals and cosmetics industries - Abstract
Objective: To examine the use of OTC analgesics among dental patients. Methods: Patients reporting to an urban dental clinic were interviewed by trained research assistants using a standardized questionnaire. We recorded patient demographics, the types and amounts of OTC analgesics taken over the past 3 days, and perceptions of OTC analgesic safety. The study was completed over 8 non-consecutive days. We defined supratherapeutic as any dose greater than the total recommended daily dose stated on package labeling. We defined primary OTC analgesic as the medication taken in the greatest amount by the patient if a combination of analgesics was used. Results: We approached 194 patients, of which 127 participated. Analgesic use within the last 3 days was reported by 100 of 127 patients, most (82%) used an OTC analgesic. The mean age of participants was 28 years: 52% were male. OTC analgesics reported in the 82 patients included ibuprofen (39), acetaminophen (28), acetaminophen/aspirin (8), naproxen (4), and aspirin (3). Seventeen patients reported supratherapeutic use of their primary OTC analgesic: ibuprofen (12/39), acetaminophen (2/28), and naproxen (3/4). Of these 17 patients, 82% agreed that they 'could get sick [by taking] too much' OTC analgesic. Conclusion: OTC analgesic use was common in patients presenting to a safety net dental clinic (65%), as was OTC analgesic misuse (21%). Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the most frequently misused products. Although the study was limited by small sample size, it noted that analgesics requiring fewer total tablets per day for therapeutic dosing were more likely to be misused. Patient awareness of potential OTC analgesic toxicity did not prevent supratherapeutic use., Havey JM(1), Hill RE(1,3), Robins CW(3), Bogdan GM(1), Daly FFS(1), Zallen R(2), Dart RC(1,3). (1)Rocky Mountain Poison and Drug Center-Denver Health, (2)Denver Health Dental Clinic-Denver Health, (3)University of Colorado Health [...]
- Published
- 2001