Guaifenesin Use in a Government Hospital in Al-Kharj

Abstract

Aim: The present study aimed to describe the pattern of using guaifenesin in a government hospital in Al-Kharj. Methodology: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study that was conducted in a government hospital in Al-Kharj. Prescription data was collected from outpatient electronic records. Results: During the study period, 519 patients received guaifenesin syrup from the outpatient pharmacy of the government hospital. Most of the patients who used guaifenesin syrup were males (66.09%) and more than half of them were in the age group between 20-39 years old (55.10%). All of the prescriptions were written by residents (100%) and most of guaifenesin prescriptions were prescribed by emergency department (96.15%). Conclusion: The present study showed that guaifenesin was frequently used in Al-kharj. Additional studies are needed to describe the frequency and pattern of using guaifenesin in different settings and also to describe the pattern of using other cough/cold medications.