Use of Intravenous Omeprazole in a University Hospital

Abstract

Objective:

To evaluate the characteristics of using intravenous omeprazole in a university hospital.

Method:

A prospective follow-up of all patients (n = 108) treated with intravenous omeprazole in our hospital was done from October 1994 through May 1995. Based on requests sent to the pharmacy service, patients receiving this drug were located and their charts were reviewed. The patients were visited daily throughout the duration of their treatment to evaluate any change in dosage, addition of new drugs to the regimen, and the final date of treatment.

Results:

Only 52% of the patients received omeprazole for indications in which its usefulness is clearly demonstrated. The dosages used frequently exceeded those recommended by the pharmaceutical manufacturer and in the literature. In fact, more than 50% of the patients were treated with dosages over 40 mg/d. It would have been possible to administer omeprazole orally instead of intravenously in 17% of the patients. Twenty-three percent of the patients were treated simultaneously with omeprazole and histamine₂-antagonists.

Conclusions:

The use of intravenous omeprazole in our hospital is not optimal; thus, it seems that a strategy to improve this situation should be designed.