Original Article
Azhari E. H. Elamin1*; Rasha. M.A.Rifat2;
Omer.E.H.Elamin3; Iman. A. M.Mohamed4
1Department of Clinical Pharmacy and
Pharmacy Practice, Alfajr College for Science and Technology and Khartoum
University, Khartoum, Sudan.
2 Omdurman Islamic University,
Khartoum, Sudan.
3 Sudan Medical Specialization
Board, Khartoum Teaching Hospital, Khartoum,
Sudan.
4 Omdurman Islamic University,
Khartoum, Sudan.
*Corresponding Author:
Dr.
Azhari Elnour Haj Elamin
E
mail: azhari_ elamin@yahoo.com; azhari_
elamin @hotmail.com
Abstract:
Background: Pregnancy loss, preterm delivery and maternal illness are
all made more likely by active rheumatic, musculoskeletal, fever, and pain
conditions. Pregnant women endure a range of aches and pains, and the majority
of them can be treated without the use of analgesics/anti-inflammatory drugs.
Many of these drugs are accessible over the counter. Some analgesic treatments
may be teratogenic or fetotoxic in pregnancy.
Aim: This study aims to provide information on the analgesics and
anti-inflammatory prescription to pregnant women and to correlate the
prescriptions to women’s characteristics including their medical history, in
Khartoum, Sudan.
Methods: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional hospital-based
study conducted at the Military and Khartoum Teaching Hospitals in Khartoum
State. A data collection form designed by the researcher was used to obtain
information on pregnant women from records during the period from January 2015
to January 2016. Women's characteristics, their medical history and the
prescriptions for different types of analgesics and anti-inflammatory drugs
were extracted. The Chi-square test was used and a p-value < 0.05 was
judged statistically significant when analyzing the data using SPSS version 16.
Results:
The records
of 650 expectant mothers were reviewed. Analgesic and anti-
inflammatory medications were
prescribed to 63 (9.7%) of the women. Of those women, 53 (84%) were in their
third trimester; p=0.0001. Therapeutic agents used were: acetylsalicylic
acid (aspirin) used in 39 (61.9%) of this group; followed by dexamethasone in
15 (23.8%); diclofenac sodium in 5 (7.9%), mefnamic acid in 2 (3.2%), and
acetaminophen (paracetamol) in 2 (3.2%). The rate of prescription of
Analgesic/anti-inflammatory drugs during pregnancy in this study is comparable
to international literature. Acetylsalicylic
acid (aspirin) was used in low doses (81 – 100 mg). Indications for using low
dose aspirin (LDA) in this group were, Systemic hypertension (n=24; 61.5%);
venous thromboembolism (n=7; 17.9%); hypertension-during-pregnancy (n=4;
10.2%); diabetic mellitus (n=2; 5.1%) and congenital hyperadrenalism (n=2;
5.1%).
Conclusions: In this study, various analgesics and anti-inflammatory
drugs were used to treat minor to moderate pain, headaches and/or fever during
pregnancy at a prescription rate comparable to the international literature.
Although studies have shown that analgesic and anti-inflammatory medications
can be safely taken during pregnancy, they should be under the supervision of
qualified physicians and pharmacists for the appropriateness of the treatment
and to avoid drug-related problems.
Keywords: Pregnancy,
Analgesic/Anti-inflammatory Drugs,
NSAIDs, Acetyl salicylic acid, Low-Dose Aspirin,
Acetaminophen, Paracetamol.
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