Prescriptions Involving Analgesic Drugs at a Secondary Health Facility in Ibadan, Nigeria

INTRODUCTION Pain is a cardinal feature of inflammation and is responsible for majority of hospital visits. The non-opioid analgesics possess antipyretic and anti-inflammatory activity and thus are often employed for such purpose of controlling inflammation as well as antipyretic. The non-opioid analgesics are freely available devoid of causing dependence but their potential harmful effects can sometimes be serious. The need for rational drug use is paramount and requires evaluation of physicians practice to serve as basis for continue medical education. METHODS A retrospective assessment of pattern of prescription at a secondary health facility owned by one of the 36 states of the federation of Nigeria. The age, sex, the drugs prescribed per patient were recorded and prescriptions involving analgesics were further analyzed. Proportions were compared using X2 and statistical significance was set at p<0.05. RESULTS Analgesic drugs were commonly prescribed constituting 23.8% of all the prescriptions recorded in the study. Paracetamol was the most commonly prescribed analgesic drug accounting for 55.7% of all analgesic drugs prescribed while Dipyrone was the most commonly prescribed parenteral analgesic drug. Dipyrone accounted for 19% of total Analgesic drug prescriptions but 93% of analgesics administered by intramuscular route. Dipyrone was also the preferred Analgesic drug in traumatic conditions. No cognizance was taken of the potential of NSAIDs for causing gastrointestinal injury as Diclofenac, Nimesulide and Dipyrone were sometimes used even in patients with peptic ulcer disease. CONCLUSIONS Pain management with NSAIDs requires some dexterity in particular when certain categories of patients are to be treated. There is need for continue medical education to ensure rational use of these drugs.