[At what care level are cyclo-oxygenase-2 inhibitors prescribed?]
M J Montero Fernández1, F J Rodríguez Alcalá, N Valles Fernández
1Farmacéutico. Gerencia de Atención Primaria de Toledo. España. mjmontero@sescam.org
Objectives:
To find the evolution in the billing of prescriptions for selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitors since they came on the market and to compare this evolution in primary care (PC) and specialist care (SC).Design. Cross-sectional, descriptive study.
Setting:
Toledo Health Area. Main measurements. Data were obtained from the System of Drug Information (SIFAR) to analyse the monthly turnover of NSAID prescriptions (M01A group in the official classification of medicines, including rofecoxib and celecoxib) issued by doctors in PC and SC between January 2000 and June 2001.
Results:
In our area during the study period, 583,558 NSAID packages were prescribed; 6.61% were COX-2 inhibitors, which represented 29.08% of NSAID expenditure. 98.23% of NSAID packages and 94.61% of COX-2 inhibitors were prescribed in PC. The use of COX-2 inhibitors in SC rose from 10.03% of the total NSAIDs in February 2000 to 29.79% in June 2001; whilst in PC it rose from 1.52% to 10.78%. Rofecoxib and celecoxib were third and fifth in the lists of most prescribed NSAIDs (number of packages) in SC, and ninth and twelfth in PC. In terms of cost of prescription, they were first and second in SC, and first and fourth in PC.
Conclusions:
COX-2 inhibitors have become the main NSAIDs prescribed. The appearance of these drugs had a different impact on SC and PC doctors, with greater use of them and a more rapid introduction in SC.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Antiasthma Drugs: Inhaled Corticosteroids and Glucocorticoids
ICS work through a multifaceted mechanism of action. They suppress the inflammatory response caused by the proliferation of TH cells. They also reduce the transcription of the IL-2 gene, which is involved in the...
COPD: Management Using Bronchodilators and Corticosteroids
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Prostacyclin Receptor Agonists
These agonists bind to the IPR receptor situated on the plasma membrane of the pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells. This binding triggers a cascade of reactions known as the GS-AC-cAMP-PKA pathway. This pathway results in the relaxation of smooth muscle...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Receptor Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitors and Calcium Channel Blockers
TKIs, such as imatinib (Gleevec), are particularly effective in tackling the growth and mitogenic factors that become upregulated in PAH patients. These factors contribute to the...
Treatment for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: Oxygen Therapy for Respiratory Failure
Oxygen therapy is vital in increasing and maintaining blood oxygen levels in PAH patients. As a result, it aids in reducing fatigue, improving...
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease-V: Management
Smoking Cessation


