Abstract

MARIN-PIVA, Hugo; FONSECA-GAMBOA, Carlos  and  SAENZ-CAMPOS, Desirée. Phenazopyridine: A drug utilization research in the Costa Rican Social Security. Acta méd. costarric [online]. 2012, vol.54, n.3, pp.171-174. ISSN 0001-6002.

Background: Phenazopiridine is an oral urinary tract analgesic; an extensive historical experience of use and, under the paradigm of evidence-based medicine, its therapeutic value is not supported by high quality explanations. Aim: To analyze the use of phenazopiridine in everyday clinical practice, at an ambulatory level, in the three different levels of attention in the Costa Rican social security during a period of 30 days.   Methods: In January 2011, electronic pharmacy records from a first, second and third level health center; Health Area of Santa Barbara, Dr. Carlos Durán Clinic and Dr. Calderón Guardia Hospital, respectively, were obtained to establish the quantitative characteristics of the prescription of phenazopiridine. For the qualitative analysis of the prescription, a random sample of 30 medical records of patients treated during that period in each unit was considered using an instrument previously designed for said task.   Results: During one month, three study units prescribed phenazopiridine to 381 patients, mostly females. Prescription varied from 3 to 90 tablets; most patients (60.43%) received only 10 tablets for their treatment regime. In 54.55% of the medical records, the diagnosis and prescription was documented. The daily-prescribed dose (DPD) was 100mg thrice a day, equivalent to 300mg per day in half of the patients; and in the first and second level of attention followed by 100mg twice a day (33.3%). A total of 55.4% of the patients had been diagnosed with urinary tract infection (89% female); of these an 89.9% received also antibiotic treatment. The duration of treatment varied between 1 to 30 days, with more prolonged use in the second and third level of attention.   Conclusion: The use of phenazopiridine is partial and reasonably adequate, thus supporting the efficacy-safety criteria in the context of first and second level attention centers. The diversity in the prescription patterns requires improvement in their use and the development of actions, which would favor a more rational prescription, therefore maximizing the benefit to the patients

Keywords : phenazopyridine; urinary tract infection; urinary antiseptics; dysuria; rational drug use; drug utilization.

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