Use of prescribed and non-prescribed medication for dyspepsia

OBJECTIVE: To explore patient factors related to the use of prescribed and non-prescribed drugs for dyspepsia in The Netherlands.

DESIGN: Patient survey study.

SETTING AND SUBJECTS: Questionnaires sent to patients who had a prescription for dyspepsia medication from their general practitioner.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Patient factors related to the on-demand use of prescribed medication and the use of non-prescribed medication for dyspepsia.

RESULTS: 74% of the (n=518) patients had been receiving prescribed medication for dyspepsia for more than one year. A quarter of the patients were using the prescribed medication "on demand" instead of adhering to the instructions on the prescription. PPI prescriptions reduced the probability of using the medication on demand, compared with other prescribed drugs (OR 0.39). Some 19% of the patients were using non-prescribed drugs for dyspepsia. More of the patients who had visited their general practitioner in the previous 12 months were using their drugs on demand (OR 2.27) and were using non-prescribed drugs (OR 2.40) than the patients who had not visited their GP.

CONCLUSION: Clear information for patients on how to use their medication for dyspepsia may contribute to decreasing unnecessary drug use. Communication about (in)appropriate use of drugs "on demand", non-prescribed drugs, and health education should be addressed to all patient groups. Further studies on these topics should aim to improve medical care based on shared decision-making for patients with dyspepsia.