Dataset Information

The use, perceptions and knowledge of safety of over-the-counter medications during pregnancy in a Canadian population.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The prevalence of prenatal over-the-counter medication use in Canadian women is unknown.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of prenatal over-the-counter medication use and safety knowledge was conducted among pregnant and post-partum women attending an academic hospital obstetrics clinic.

Results

Seventy-two women participated; 90.3% were Caucasian, 69.4% had a college/university degree, and 61.1% lived in an urban area. Of the 72 women, 87.5% used over-the-counter medications prenatally, first (55.6%), second (65.3%), and third (47.2%) trimesters, with prenatal acetaminophen use most common (72.2%). Women who used over-the-counter medications 1-0onths before conception were more likely to use over-the-counter medications during pregnancy, and 18% of women initiated over-the-counter medications in pregnancy. Women self-reported a medium level of over-the-counter medication safety knowledge (73.6%) and responded that not all over-the-counter medications are safe during pregnancy (95.8%).

Conclusion

Despite limited safety profiles of some over-the-counter medications, pre-conception and prenatal over-the-counter medication use was high. Further research on the risk of over-the-counter medications and combinations in pregnancy is needed to help women to make safe choices during pregnancy.

SUBMITTER: Casey E

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10521281 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan-Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

The use, perceptions and knowledge of safety of over-the-counter medications during pregnancy in a Canadian population.

Casey E E Velez M P MP Gaudet L L Brogly S B SB

Women's health (London, England) 20230101

<h4>Background</h4>The prevalence of prenatal over-the-counter medication use in Canadian women is unknown.<h4>Methods</h4>A cross-sectional study of prenatal over-the-counter medication use and safety knowledge was conducted among pregnant and post-partum women attending an academic hospital obstetrics clinic.<h4>Results</h4>Seventy-two women participated; 90.3% were Caucasian, 69.4% had a college/university degree, and 61.1% lived in an urban area. Of the 72 women, 87.5% used over-the-counter ...[more]

PMID: 37750453

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Project description:BackgroundThe safety of pharmacotherapy for geriatric patients is an essential aspect of the demographic perspective in view of the increasing size of this population. Non-opioid analgesics (NOAs) are among the most popular and often overused over-the-counter medications (OTC). The reasons for drug abuse are common in the geriatric population: musculoskeletal disorders, colds, inflammation and pain of various origins. The popularity of self-medication and the ability to easily access OTC drugs outside the pharmacy creates the danger of their misuse and the incidence of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). The survey included 142 respondents aged 50-90 years. The relationship between the prevalence of ADRs and the NOAs used, age, presence of chronic diseases, and place of purchasing and obtaining information about the mentioned drugs were evaluated. The results of the observations were statistically analyzed using Statistica 13.3. The most commonly used NOAs among the elderly included paracetamol, acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) and ibuprofen. Patients consumed the medications for intractable headaches, toothaches, fevers, colds and joint disorders. Respondents indicated the pharmacy as the main location for purchasing medications, and the physician as the source of information for selecting the therapy. ADRs were reported most frequently to the physician, and less frequently to the pharmacist and nurse. More than one-third of respondents indicated that the physician during the consultation did not take a medical history and did not ask about concomitant diseases. It is necessary to extend pharmaceutical care to geriatric patients that includes advice on adverse drug reactions, especially drug interactions. Due to the popularity of self-medication, and the availability of NOAs, long-term measures should be taken to increase the role of pharmacists in providing effective, safe health care to seniors. We are targeting pharmacists with this survey to draw attention to the problem of the prevalence of selling NOAs to geriatric patients. Pharmacists should educate seniors about the possibility of ADRs and approach patients with polypragmasy and polypharmacy with caution. Pharmaceutical care is an essential aspect in the treatment of geriatric patients, which can contribute to better results in their existing treatment and increase the safety of medication intake. Therefore, it is important to improve the development of pharmaceutical care in Poland in order to enhance patient outcomes.

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Dataset Information

The use, perceptions and knowledge of safety of over-the-counter medications during pregnancy in a Canadian population.

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Publications

The use, perceptions and knowledge of safety of over-the-counter medications during pregnancy in a Canadian population.

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