Dextromethorphan Use in the Outpatient Department
Menshawy A. Menshawy *
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Nehad J. Ahmed
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Abdullah A. Alrizqi
General Directorate of Medical Services, Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Bander A. Alhuthali
Pharmacy Department, Specialized Clinics for Security Forces, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.
Ibrahim A. Alghamdi
General Directorate of Medical Services, Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Saleh Alghamdi
General Directorate of Medical Services, Ministry of Interior, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: The present study was conducted to describe the use of dextromethorphan in the outpatient department.
Methodology: This is a retrospective study that involves evaluating electronic prescriptions for dextromethorphan among outpatients in a public hospital in Alkharj.
Results: During the study period, 348 patients received dextromethorphan. Most of them were females and the age of more than half of them was between 20 and 39 years. Most of the patients used dextromethorphan for 5 days (63.51%) and about 30% of patients used it for 7 days. Most of the prescriptions were written by emergency department (93.97%).
Conclusion: The present study showed that dextromethorphan was commonly prescribed in the outpatient setting in Al-Kharj. Furthermore, more studies are needed to explore the appropriateness of its use.
Keywords: Cough-suppressant, dextromethorphan, outpatient, use