Proton Pump Inhibitors and Self-Medication: A Survey Conducted Among Patients in The Casablanca-Settat Region
Proton Pump Inhibitors and Self-Medication: A Survey Conducted Among Patients in The Casablanca-Settat Region
Abstract:
Introduction
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are key medications in the treatment of acid-related gastric disorders. Their use has
become widespread since their introduction to the market. However, this popularity has revealed significant issues of
misuse, particularly concerning in the context of self-medication.
Objective
This study aims to evaluate self-medication practices related to this class of drugs among the population of the
Casablanca-Settat region. The goal is to understand the habits associated with PPI use, identify potential dangers, and
propose measures to improve the safety and efficacy of their use.
Results
The survey included 105 participants, the majority of whom were women. Individuals aged 25 to 65 constituted 59%
of the sample, and 81% of the participants had medical coverage. The main reported indications for PPI use were
gastroesophageal reflux disease (37.5%), use in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (19.5%), and
dyspepsia (12.5%). A large majority of 79% of the participants expressed satisfaction with their self-medication practice,
highlighting the perceived effectiveness of PPIs in managing their symptoms.
Conclusion
Although the high satisfaction rate, our study revealed various forms of misuse related to this practice. This
concerning reality calls for close collaboration between healthcare professionals, patients, and health institutions to
address this issue and promote rational use of this class of drugs. Increased awareness and education about the
appropriate use of PPIs can help mitigate the risks associated with self-medication and improve patient outcomes.
How to Cite: Z.Atwani; A.Hinda; A .Amri; Y.Sebbahi; S.Derraji (2025) Proton Pump Inhibitors and Self-Medication: A Survey
Conducted Among Patients in the Casablanca-Settat Region. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research
Technology, 10(3), 1024-1032. https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/25mar559
between 25 and 65 years, and had medical insurance opting for prolonged use beyond 7 days. Interestingly, 9% of
coverage. Digestive disorders, diabetes, and hypertension participants continued their treatment for several months.
were the most commonly self-reported comorbidities.
The primary reason for choosing PPIs was positive
Self-Medication for Digestive Symptoms past experience, cited by 59% of the participants. Other
Among the respondents, approximately 37% reported reasons included the perceived lack of side effects (16%),
self-medicating based on the advice of a healthcare the convenience of a single daily dose (14%), and the
professional, while others turned to friends or family (32%), moderate cost (10%). A small number of participants (1%)
personal experience (25%), or media advertisements (6%). chose PPIs due to the relatively short treatment duration.
When it came to the reasons for self-medication, 37% of
participants used PPIs for symptoms related to Regarding adverse effects, 11% of participants reported
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), 26% for experiencing side effects. Digestive disturbances were the
unexplained epigastric pain, and 20% for the prevention of most common, followed by headaches and abdominal pain.
gastro-duodenal lesions linked to non-steroidal anti- In terms of concurrent medication use, 37% of patients were
inflammatory drug (NSAID) use. also taking NSAIDs, while others were using psychotropic
drugs, antidiabetic medications, and antihypertensives.
Omeprazole emerged as the most frequently chosen
medication, with 66% of patients selecting it. Additionally, a Finally, patient satisfaction with self-medication was
significant portion of the participants (56%) opted for the generally positive, with 79% of participants expressing
full dosage, and 54% reported taking a single dose. The satisfaction. However, 3% of patients were dissatisfied,
majority of patients (54%) adhered to a short treatment mainly due to the perceived ineffectiveness of the treatment.
duration, with only 24% using PPIs for 2 to 7 days and 13%
Table 1 : Patterns of PPI Use: Patient Characteristics, Indications, and Adverse Events
VARIABLE DESCRIPTION N FREQUENCY
GENDER (N=105) Male 20 19 %
Female 85 81 %
Chirurgie oto-rhino-laryngologique 2 4%
ADVERSE EVENTS No AE 93 89 %
(N=105) Reported AEs 12 11 %
Gastric topical 2 3%
Hypolipidemic 2 3%
Dietary supplement 2 3%
Anticoagulant 1 1%
However, the effectiveness of this treatment can be In a context where PPIs are not available over-the-
questioned, as the full effect of PPIs is only achieved after counter, it is crucial to address the inappropriate self-
several days of daily administration. [9,27–29] The French medication practices among patients suffering from gastric
HAS recommends the use of PPIs on an as-needed basis for acidity-related disorders. To tackle this issue, several
GERD, but only after an initial 4-week course to stabilize recommendations can be considered: improving access to
symptoms. [21] healthcare, strengthening regulations on the sale of
prescription-only medications, and educating patients about
Additionally, an emerging class of antisecretory drugs, the risks associated with self-medication. Additionally,
potassium-competitive acid blockers (P-CABs), appears to patients should be informed about preventive measures for
be a better candidate for non-continuous GERD therapy. gastric acidity disorders, such as hygienic-dietary practices,
[26] These drugs work by selectively and reversibly [55] stress management,[63–66] and the prevention of issues
blocking the potassium-binding site on the proton pump, caused by ulcerogenic medications and those promoting
demonstrating a rapid and lasting effect, offering flexibility reflux. [67–69]
in the timing of administration, and being less affected by
genetic variations in cytochrome P450 enzymes.[30–34] V. CONCLUSION
The consequences of this misuse cannot be clearly This study sheds light on the widespread yet often
defined, especially since reported adverse events are limited overlooked practice of self-medication with PPIs. While
and the assessment of causality was not conducted. many studies focus on prescribed use, few explore self-
Furthermore, the study population presents a medical and medication. However, limitations include the lack of clinical
surgical history that illustrates the complexity of their confirmation for reported indications, potential biases due to
medical profile, as they are being treated for various self-reported data, and the specific nature of the sample,
conditions and are exposed to the risk of drug interactions of limiting generalizability. Additionally, the absence of
varying degrees, such as those with thyroid hormones, [35] medical follow-up prevents evaluation of long-term effects
antifungals, [35,36] antivirals, [35–44] cardiotonics, [35,40] and drug interactions. These limitations emphasize the need
psychotropics, [35] and antiplatelet drugs. [38,45–47] The for further research with larger, more diverse samples to
effects resulting from these drug interactions have often better understand the risks and benefits of this practice.
been overlooked or gone unnoticed.
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