The Prescribing of Glucosamine Supplements in the Outpatient Setting in Alkharj
Nehad J. Ahmad
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
Mohamad Ayman Salkini *
Department of Pharmacognosy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to describe the prescribing and use of glucosamine supplements in Alkharj.
Methodology: This is a retrospective study that includes reviewing the electronic prescriptions of glucosamine supplements among outpatients in Alkharj.
Results: During the study period of 6 months, only 36 patients received glucosamine supplements from the outpatient department in a public hospital Alkharj. The age of more than 63% of the patients was more than 49 years. Most of the patients who received glucosamine supplements were females (75%). All of the glucosamine supplements prescriptions contained capsules for 30 days. More than 52% of the prescriptions were prescribed by specialists. More than 80% of the prescriptions were prescribed by orthopedic department and 8.3% were prescribed by rheumatology.
Conclusion: The present study showed that the use of glucosamine was uncommon in Al-Kharj. Further studies are needed to explore the frequency of using glucosamine in different settings in Alkharj.
Keywords: Glucosamine, outpatient, supplements, usage