Características del uso de Sildenafil en una muestra de pacientes a nivel de farmacias comunitarias de Concepción, Chile / Features of subjects purchasing Sildenafil at community pharmacies in Concepción, Chile

Background: Erectile dysfunction is a public health problem. Millions of men worldwide experience this condition, affecting their quality of life. Sildenafil, a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor, is the treatment of choice for erectile dysfunction. Aim: To study the characteristics of Sildenafil use among costumers of community pharmacies in Concepcion Chile. Material and methods: A structured interview about Sildenafil use was applied to subjects purchasing the drug in community pharmacies and that consented to participate. Results: One hundred thirty eight males were studied. Forty six percent of patients were fifty years old or older. Most (47.1%) used Sildenafil for one year or more and 60.5% had no adverse events. Among those experiencing side effects, headache was experienced by 38.9%, flushing by 16.6% and gastrointestinal effects by 16.7%. Ninety percent of patients had a good evaluation of the drug in terms of benefits and tolerance. Thirty two percent of the subjects, had diseases associated to erectile dysfunction. Among these, 45% had diabetes mellitus, 29.5% had hypertension, and 18.2% had prostatic diseases. In 54% of cases, the drug was prescribed by a physician. Twenty two percent of patients experienced changes in the effect of the drug when it was simultaneously used with other drugs or meals. Thirty four percent of patients used other drugs. Among these, 43.3% were using antihypertensives, and 26.7% were using antidiabetic drugs. Conclusions: Considering the elevated age and the number of associated disease of patients using Sildenafil, the use of the drug under medical prescription must be emphasized to avoid untoward effects.

Modalidades del uso de antibioticos en Concepcion, Chile / Adquisition and use of antibiotics in Concepcion, Chile

A survey to determine how 45 antibiotics dispensed to children and adults had been acquired and used was concluded in 27 pharmacies in Concepcion, Chile, based on sales with prescriptions (3 729 cases) and without prescriptions (2 959 cases). The data were compiled from August to December 1982 and from August to December 1983 by students who had completed their training at Conception University, School of Pharmacy, using a form on which they entered the age of the patient, the name of the antibiotic requested, the dosage form, the quantity dispensed, and the indications for its use. Average treatments observed were compared to reference standard treatments expressed as defined daily doses (DDD) for the prevalent pathologies. It was found that the main users were adults (68.3 per cent) most of whom presented no prescription (50.4 per cent); antibiotics were dispensed to children in most cases (69.2 per cent) under médical prescription. There was greater consumption of oral antibiotics (84.6. ) than of those for parenteral (11.8 per cent) or vaginal (3.5 per cent) administration. Compared with the standard treatment regimen (7 x DDD), treatments were generally found to be insufficient, particularly among adults who obtained oral antibiotics without a prescription. Respiratory infections were treated with antibiotics in more cases than any other disease