Abstract
We used end-of-study patient questionnaires to evaluate the effect of drug administration guidance on drug adherence in patients given cetirizine hydrochloride powdered syrup (Zyrtec® Powdered Syrup) for treatment of pruritic skin diseases. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups. Patients in Group 1 were told that they would be prescribed a pleasant-tasting powdered medicine that was well accepted by many patients. Patients in Group 2 were told only that they would be prescribed a powdered medicine. One hundred eight adults (48 male, 60 female) with pruritic skin diseases participated in this study, including 93 patients with eczema/dermatitis, 13 with urticaria, and 2 with prurigo. The mean age was 59±20 years (range : 18 to 92 years). Most patients reported taking the medication at bedtime or after dinner (Group 1, 83% vs. Group 2, 97%, P=not significant [NS]). In both groups, drug adherence status was good, with most patients (Group 1, 69% ; Group 2, 66%, respectively ; NS) reporting few missed doses. Pleasant, agreeable taste was cited as the reason for not forgetting to take the drug by 81% of patients in Group 1 compared to 40% of patients in Group 2 (p<0.05). Sleepiness disturbed daily life activities in 14% of Group 1 and 15% of group 2. In Group 1, 70% of patients described themselves as very much satisfied or satisfied with the drug, compared to 49% in Group 2 (p<0.05). Similarly, significantly more Group 1 patients wished to be prescribed the same drug for their next treatment, compared to Group 2 patients (59% vs. 32%, respectively ; p<0.05). No adverse events were reported. These results indicate that appropriate drug adherence guidance can increase the usefulness of cetirizine hydrochloride powdered syrup as a formulation for adults.
