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Pharmaco-vigilance of oral MethylErgometrine prescriptions for delayed and secondary postpartum haemorrhage

  • Abdul Rouf Pallivalapila , Isaac A. Babarinsa EMAIL logo , Mariam Al-Baloushi , Ahmed Moursi , Arabo Bayo , Binny Thomas and Mahmoud G Mahmoud Mohd
Published/Copyright: August 18, 2020

Abstract

Objectives

The objectives of this study were to quantify the prescription of oral methergin tablets in a busy Women’s Hospital, assess the stated indications for such prescription and highlight the issues and safety profile of Methergin use especially in the postpartum patient.

Methods

Review of prescription data for oral Methergin and the corresponding annual figures on primary and secondary postpartum hemorrhage.

Results

Over a period of 5 years, oral Methergin prescriptions for delayed and secondary postpartum hemorrhage constituted less than 1% of the overall prescription in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, which ranged between 1214 and 2085 per year. The numbers were too few to ascertain any relationship with both types of postpartum hemorrhage. Although stated on the relevant Patient Information leaflet, no local or regional guideline on its use exist.

Conclusions

Specific and random trend monitoring of medications for continuing safety profile, risk benefit issues, or unapproved indication, may help in identifying, preventing and mitigating any medication safety matters. Clinical pharmacists in collaboration with physicians are well placed in conducting such pharmacovigilance activities to improve medication safety.


Corresponding author: Dr. Isaac Babarinsa, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Women’s Wellness and Research Center, DohaQatar; and Weill-Cornell Medical College in Qatar (IAB), Doha, Qatar, E-mail:

  1. Research funding: None declared.

  2. Author contributions: All authors have accepted responsibility for the entire content of this manuscript and approved its submission.

  3. Competing interests: Authors state no conflict of interest.

  4. Ethical approval: The local Institutional Review Board deemed the study exempt from review.

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Received: 2020-03-25
Accepted: 2020-07-21
Published Online: 2020-08-18
Published in Print: 2020-10-25

© 2020 Walter de Gruyter GmbH, Berlin/Boston

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