Awareness and frequency of potential side effects on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs among the Jordanian patient population

OBJECTIVE: To investigate patient awareness of the proper use and frequency of side effects in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) users in Jordan.

METHODS: This study was a prospective 8 question interview of subjects purchasing medications, during randomized 4 hour/day pharmacy visits over a one month study period (March 2002). Two hundred and twelve patients were included in this study. Two community pharmacies located in Irbid were chosen. The other 2 were Albashir Hospital Pharmacy and Prince Basma Hospital pharmacy.

RESULTS: Overall NSAIDs use during last year was 69%: Diclofenac was the most used NSAID. The majority of patients (58%) reported having side effects upon NSAIDs-use; gastrointestinal upset was the most frequently reported side effect. Patients' awareness regarding proper NSAIDs use was poor, and pharmacist role in counseling was inadequate. However, user ability to discover the most common side effect to the drug seemed not to be affected.

CONCLUSION: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use awareness and knowledge of probable serious side effects and how to handle them was not adequate. This probably reflected on high incidence of side effects. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are available on prescription as well as over the counter drugs. Pharmacist involvement in education of patients using them is highly recommended and much needed to help decrease frequency of side effects.