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Published on: September 17, 2014
[Delayed-release drugs or with enteric cover: are they correctly used?]
A Vidal Miquel1, A Benet Català, F Ortín Font
1Servicio de Farmacia, Pius Hospital de Valls, Valls, Tarragona, Spain. mavidal@piushospital.org
Atencion Primaria
|December 21, 2004
Summary
Many patients misuse oral medications that require specific handling, with 72% making errors in drug use, conservation, or food intake. Healthcare professionals must improve patient education on proper medication management.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Patient Adherence
Context:
- Oral medications requiring specific pharmaceutical integrity are widely used.
- Patient understanding and adherence to correct drug usage protocols are critical for therapeutic efficacy.
Purpose:
- To determine the prevalence of correct usage for specific oral medications.
- To identify common errors in medication handling and intake among patients.
Summary:
- A cross-sectional study involving 612 patients revealed significant issues with oral drug administration.
- 72% of participants made at least one error in drug use, conservation, or intake related to food.
- Chewing or grinding delayed-release or enteric-coated drugs was observed in 7% of users.
Impact:
- Findings highlight a critical gap in patient education regarding medication handling.
- Emphasizes the need for enhanced communication from healthcare professionals on proper drug usage and storage.
- Incorrect medication use can lead to reduced efficacy and potential adverse events.
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