Proton pump inhibitor and community pharmacies: Usage profile and factors associated with long-term use

AIM: To characterize the usage profile and the factors associated with the prolonged use of proton pump inhibitor drugs in a community pharmacy. METHODOLOGY: This is a cross-sectional, prospective and observational study involving interviews with 410 patients who acquired PPI for their own use from community pharmacies. To characterize the factors associated with the prolonged use of PPI, a multivariate logistic regression model was used. RESULTS: Pantoprazole (42.7%) and omeprazole (31%) were the most acquired PPIs, prescribed mainly by gastroenterologists (49.5%). They are used in the morning, especially for gastrointestinal symptoms, however, they had been consumed for more than 5 years in 30% of cases. The factors associated with prolonged use are old age (OR 1.03 CI95% 1.01–1.05), body mass index (OR 1.07 CI95% 1.01–1.12), use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatories (OR 3.18 CI95% 1.20–8.43) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (OR 3.5 95% CI 1.39–8.88). CONCLUSION: PPIs are adequate in terms of indication and form of use, however, prolonged use associated with old age, being overweight and use of anti-inflammatories and antidepressants is frequent.