Survey of Drug Information Leaflet in Ranitidine Use for Outpatients. Switch OTC.

Switch OTC preparations of H2-receptor antagonists have been marketed since September 1997, which causes concern about the possible concomitant use with H2-receptor antagonists while the patient does not know that they are from the same drug class.We conducted a telephone-interview survey of patients awareness of drug information leaflets on switch OTC preparations of H2-receptor antagonists including precautions for use and adverse drug reactions in 203 patients who were taking ranitidine.Of the 203 patients, 16 (7.9%) purchased OTC preparations including cold remedy and gastric drugs. Of the 203 patients, 164 (80.8%) replied that they did not know about the selling of switch OTC preparations, because, for example, they were aware of their commercial message but did not know that they were from the same class of drug as ranitidine.Twenty-three (11.3%) of the 203 patients also received medication from other hospital (s), although type of drugs were not known.