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Many patients currently taking proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), the
newest and most expensive drugs for the treatment of heartburn and
related symptoms, are dissatisfied with the results, a new study
reports.
Researchers performed an online study of 4,200 patients using PPIs
such as Prilosec and Prevacid
and found the following results:
- 35% to 41% of the respondents
continue to experience daily heartburn symptoms.
- As many as 60% of the respondents
reported experiencing symptoms three or more times per week.
- 75% of PPI patients also take nonprescription medications, such
as Pepcid,
Maalox and Tums.
- Up to 25% of the respondents said they take over-the-counter
medications in place of their prescription medication.
"The problem seems to be that many patients are (using)... combinations
of prescription and over-the-counter medications, and often too quickly
switching to newer medications," Olivia Banyon, from Acuity HealthGroup,
a part of Omnicom Group explained in a statement.
The study was commissioned by a group of drug manufacturers and
conducted by Acuity and Harris Interactive.
PPIs are heavily promoted by pharmaceutical companies to
physicians and, more recently, to consumers through advertising.
Each brand attracts a somewhat different type of consumer, reflecting
again thecombined impact of :
- Managed care formulary restrictions
Study conducted by Acuity
HealthGroup
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