Bromhexine Use in the Outpatient Department in a Public Hospital in Al-Kharj
Nehad J. Ahmed *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
Menshawy A. Menshawy
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study was conducted to demonstrate the prescribing pattern of bromhexine in a public hospital in Alkharj.
Methodology: This is a retrospective study that included evaluating outpatient antibiotic prescriptions from 1st of January/2018 to 30th of June/2018 in a public hospital Al-kharj. The collected data were the personal data of the patients, the prescribing’ departments, the duration of bromhexine use, and the level of the prescribers.
Results: Most of the patients were in the age group of 20-29 (32.35%) followed by 10-19 (20.59%). About 73.53% of the prescriptions were written by the emergency department, followed by the chest department (20.59%). All of the prescriptions were written by residents. Most of the patients used bromhexine for 5 days (76.47%) followed by 1 week (20.59%).
Conclusion: The present study showed that bromhexine use in the outpatient setting was uncommon. More studies are needed to explore the frequency of prescribing other mucolytic agents.
Keywords: Bromhexine, mucolytic, outpatient, prescribing.