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Dietary Supplement and Prescription Omega-3 Fatty Acid Products Use among Iraqi Consumers in Kirkuk City | ||
| Kirkuk Journal of Medical Sciences | ||
| Volume 12, Issue 2, October 2024, Pages 36-41 PDF (562.75 K) | ||
| Document Type: Original research | ||
| DOI: 10.32894/kjms.2024.146994.1094 | ||
| Author | ||
| Jwan Saleem Mohammed* | ||
| Department of Pharmacy, Azadi Teaching Hospital, Kirkuk, Iraq. | ||
| Abstract | ||
| Background: Omega-3 fatty acid products are available as dietary supplements (fish oils) and prescription formulations (omega-3 ethyl ester, icosapent ethyl, omega-3 ethyl ester A, omega-3 carboxylic acids). The study aimed to learn more about the prevalence of dietary supplement and prescription omega-3 products use by Iraqi consumers in Kirkuk City, to record the types of products used and to examine the role of physicians and pharmacists in guiding choices about these products. Methods: A cross-sectional questionnaire-based study was conducted among pharmacists concerning dispensing the prescription only medicine (POM) and over the counter (OTC) omega-3 products. Ninety-three filled questionnaires were received from pharmacies in Kirkuk city. Results: Over 6 months, 43 patients from 93 (46.2%) were dispensed fish oil supplementations by prescription, and 50 patients from 93 (53.7%) were dispensed fish oil preparation without prescription. The nonprescription users were younger (32.92 vs. 44.41 years old) and more often female (63% vs. 58%) compared to prescription users. 44% of the OTC group purchased omega-3 as a dietary supplement, 20% used it for hair loss, 14% for treating hypertriglyceridemia, 0.08% for improving memory function, and 0.02% for pregnancy care. All the products supplied to customers for various indications either by prescription or as an OTC were dietary supplements. Conclusion: Healthcare providers and consumers need to distinguish the differences between prescription omega-3 products and nonprescription omega-3 dietary supplements to ensure the appropriate use of each product. | ||
| Keywords | ||
| Omega-3 fatty acids; Dietary supplements; Over the counter | ||
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