Abstract:
Objective: To describe the prescription patterns of
antiemetics in children in some selected districts of
Sri Lanka and describe standard drug utilization
variables, potential drug interactions, extent and
types of irrational prescribing and rate of off-label
use of anti-emetics.
Design, setting and methods: Analysis of paediatric
prescriptions containing at least one antiemetic
dispensed in eight community pharmacies (4 State, 4
Private) located in four different Provinces of Sri
Lanka was performed over a period of four weeks by
using a structured pre-tested checklist. Standard drug
utilization variables including extent and types of
irrational prescription were studied. .
Results: One hundred and eighty five prescriptions
met the criteria; Domperidone was most frequently
(89%) prescribed followed by promethazine (10.5%)
and metoclopramide (0.5%). Mean age was 4.48
years. Oral liquid dosage-form was prescribed in
54% followed by tablets (32.5%) and suppositories
(11%); in 12% the dosage-form was unsuitable for
age. Mean dose was 6 mg; 29.5% of the prescriptions
carried irrational doses; 30% of prescriptions were
off-label. Potential drug interactions with comedications
were possible in 17.6% of instances.
Majority of these deficiencies in prescription were
observed in children younger than six years.
Conclusions: Domperidone was the most frequently
dispensed anti-emetic for children in the selected
districts. Irrational use of domperidone is more prevalent in young (< 6 years) compared to older
children.
