Over-the-counter oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs: a pharmacoepidemiologic study in southern Italy

The Pharmacoepidemiologic Service of the Second University of Naples analyzedthe use and tolerability of over-the-counter (OTC) oral nonsteroidal antiinflammatorydrugs (NSAIDs) purchased in Campania, a region of southernItaly. Forty private pharmacies uniformly distributed throughout the region wererecruited. The study was conducted by means of a questionnaire completed bypurchasers and lasted from December 1, 1999 to March 31, 2000; 2053 questionnaireswere collected. The age of respondents averaged 45.3 ± 3.49 years(range, 17–85 years). The NSAIDs analyzed were acetylsalicylic acid, paracetamol,ibuprofen, ketoprofen, diclofenac, and piroxicam. Adverse effects, mainlygastrointestinal symptoms, were reported by 5.5% of the users and occurred primarilywith diclofenac, piroxicam, ibuprofen, and ketoprofen. Because the useand availability of OTC NSAIDs are increasing, further studies of the tolerabilityof this important drug class are warranted.