[Midodrine (Gutron) prescription practice at a University Hospital Center]. / Etude des pratiques de prescriptions de midodrine (Gutron) dans un Centre Hospitalier Universitaire.

ABSTRACT

A historical study of the prescription of midodrine was carried out at the university hospital of Toulouse (France) between 1994 and 1998. The aim was to compare the observed prescriptions and the ideal prescriptions in accordance with the Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC). The analysis of 97 consecutive medical reports found discrepancies in prescription concerning the non-respect of contraindications and of potentially hazardous drug associations. Fifty-four (55.7 per cent) patients would have been excluded from prescription if the physicians had strictly respected the SPC. The inappropriate prescription of midodrine was associated with an increase in adverse drug reactions (ADRs). ADRs occurred in 34.0 per cent of cases overall and required drug discontinuation in 15.5 per cent.