Knowledge of pharmacists on different aspects of PPIs
| N | Frequency | |
| 1. The best time to take PPIs is: | ||
| Before breakfast* | 446 | 98.9% |
| After any meal | 3 | 0.7% |
| With any meal | 2 | 0.4% |
| 2. Maximum duration for using PPIs without referral to a physician as an over-the-counter drug if symptoms persist is: | ||
| Less than 1 week | 47 | 10.4% |
| 1–2 weeks* | 164 | 36.4% |
| 2–4 weeks | 145 | 32.2% |
| More than 4 weeks | 26 | 5.8% |
| PRN Regardless of the period | 69 | 15.3% |
| 3. Omeprazole has longer duration of action compared with esomeprazole | ||
| No* | 126 | 27.9% |
| Yes | 325 | 72.1% |
| 4. Is it advisable that the pharmacist increase the dose frequency rather than a single dose to improve effect? | ||
| No* | 350 | 77.6% |
| Yes | 101 | 22.4% |
| Long-term side effect(s) of PPIs | ||
| 5. Significant vitamin (B12 and C) and mineral (iron, calcium, and magnesium) deficiencies | ||
| No | 20 | 4.4% |
| Yes* | 431 | 95.6% |
| 6. Enteric and respiratory infections | ||
| No | 358 | 79.4% |
| Yes* | 93 | 20.6% |
| 7. Gastric polyps, gastric carcinoids and gastric cancer | ||
| No | 330 | 73.2% |
| Yes* | 121 | 26.8% |
| 8. Osteoporosis | ||
| No | 185 | 41.0% |
| Yes* | 266 | 59.0% |
| Short term side effect(s) of PPIs | ||
| 9. Rash/hypersensitivity | ||
| No | 334 | 74.1% |
| Yes* | 117 | 25.9% |
| 10. Nausea/vomiting/abdominal pain/flatulence | ||
| No | 171 | 37.9% |
| Yes* | 280 | 62.1% |
| 11. Diarrhoea/constipation | ||
| No | 197 | 43.7% |
| Yes* | 254 | 56.3% |
| 12. Headache/dizziness | ||
| No | 327 | 72.5% |
| Yes* | 124 | 27.5% |
*Correct answer.
PPIs, proton pump inhibitors; PRN, when necessary.