Introduction: The objective of this piece of work is to analyse the use of Montelukast in adults from three community pharmacies.
Material and Methods: Descriptive, observational study in three community pharmacies (January 2009 - February 2013), in patients over the age of 15 who went to the pharmacy with a prescription for Montelukast. Their data was collected in a questionnaire (age, pathology, therapeutic regime, duration of the treatment, associated medication) and the suitability of the prescription was assessed according to the authorised indications and their adaptation to clinical practice guides. The patient was sent to the doctor when inadequate treatment was detected, to have it reviewed.
Results: 106 patients were included, of whom 26 % did not suffer from asthma and were taking Montelukast inappropriately. Of the asthmatics, 29 % of the treatments prescribed did not adapt to the recommendations given in the guides. We would highlight the high level of establishment of Montelukast as an initial treatment (59 % asthmatics, 63 % non-asthmatics), as well as the use of Montelukast in single-drug therapy (16 % asthmatics, 41 % non-asthmatics).
Conclusions: Montelukast is being used incorrectly in non-asthmatic patients with allergic rhinitis or bronchitis which could lead to a lack of clarity in the indications in some guides. In addition, in asthmatic patients, Montelukast is not always being used according to the recommendations in the clinical guides, which shows the need for clearer information for health professionals about the role of Montelukast in current therapy.