Anton Pottegård1, Jesper Hallas. 1. Afdeling for Klinisk Farmakologi, Syddansk Universitet, 5000 Odense C, Denmark.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: We wanted to test whether we, by using data on thousands of prescriptions, could answer a prosaic yet very timely question: Which penicillin is most widely accepted? MATERIAL AND METHODS: By use of the Odense PharmacoEpidemiological Database (OPED) we extracted data on all penicillin prescriptions issued to children in the Region of Southern Denmark in 2009. We calculated the rate of early switch, defined by redeeming a new penicillin prescription within three days. Such a switch was believed to reflect taste-related therapeutic failure. RESULTS: We analysed 253,018 penicillin prescriptions issued to 90,054 children. Among the three analysed penicillin brands, Primcillin (phenoxymethylpenicillin mixture), Imacillin (amoxicillin mixture) and Flemoxin (amoxicillin soluble tablets), we found 2,599 early switches. The relative risk of switch for Primcillin and Flemoxin using Imacillin as reference was 14.7 and 3.3. CONCLUSION: Phenoxymethylpenicillin is less accepted. Children prefer bottled amoxicillin.
INTRODUCTION: We wanted to test whether we, by using data on thousands of prescriptions, could answer a prosaic yet very timely question: Which penicillin is most widely accepted? MATERIAL AND METHODS: By use of the Odense PharmacoEpidemiological Database (OPED) we extracted data on all penicillin prescriptions issued to children in the Region of Southern Denmark in 2009. We calculated the rate of early switch, defined by redeeming a new penicillin prescription within three days. Such a switch was believed to reflect taste-related therapeutic failure. RESULTS: We analysed 253,018 penicillin prescriptions issued to 90,054 children. Among the three analysed penicillin brands, Primcillin (phenoxymethylpenicillin mixture), Imacillin (amoxicillin mixture) and Flemoxin (amoxicillin soluble tablets), we found 2,599 early switches. The relative risk of switch for Primcillin and Flemoxin using Imacillin as reference was 14.7 and 3.3. CONCLUSION:Phenoxymethylpenicillin is less accepted. Children prefer bottled amoxicillin.