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Use of Nonprescription and Prescription Drugs and Drug Information Sources among Breastfeeding Women in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author

Listed:
  • Yukiko Fujii

    (Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Daiichi University of Pharmacy, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan)

  • Keiko Hirokawa

    (Sankyu-Drug Ltd., Fukuoka 801-0825, Japan)

  • Yuko Kobuke

    (Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Daiichi University of Pharmacy, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan)

  • Toshio Kubota

    (Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Daiichi University of Pharmacy, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan)

  • Taketo Yoshitake

    (Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Daiichi University of Pharmacy, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan)

  • Koichi Haraguchi

    (Department of Pharmaceutical Science, Daiichi University of Pharmacy, Fukuoka 815-8511, Japan)

  • Yukiko Honda

    (Department of Community Medicine, Nagasaki University Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Nagasaki 852-8523, Japan)

  • Hatasu Kobayashi

    (Department of Environmental and Molecular Medicine, Mie University Graduate School of Medicine, Mie 514-8507, Japan)

  • Kouji H. Harada

    (Department of Health and Environmental Sciences, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8501, Japan)

Abstract

Breastfeeding women may experience various health issues that require medication. This survey aimed to gain insights into the use of nonprescription and prescription drugs by breastfeeding women in Japan. A cross-sectional study involving women with children aged under two years was conducted in Fukuoka, Japan. Nonprescription drugs were used by 26% of participants in the breastfed-only group, 41% in the breastfed more than half the time group, 55% in the formula-fed more than half the time group, and 82% in the formula-fed-only group. We found that when breastfeeding rates decreased, the use of nonprescription drugs increased ( p < 0.05, Cochran–Armitage test for trend). There were significant differences in the use of nonprescription cold medicines and oral analgesics between the formula-fed and breastfed groups, but a nonsignificant difference in prescription drugs use between the groups. These results indicated breastfeeding had a significant influence on use of nonprescription drugs, which was not observed with prescription drugs. Breastfeeding women commonly used the Internet to obtain information on both nonprescription and prescription drugs; however, this did not influence medication use.

Suggested Citation

  • Yukiko Fujii & Keiko Hirokawa & Yuko Kobuke & Toshio Kubota & Taketo Yoshitake & Koichi Haraguchi & Yukiko Honda & Hatasu Kobayashi & Kouji H. Harada, 2022. "Use of Nonprescription and Prescription Drugs and Drug Information Sources among Breastfeeding Women in Japan: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:18:p:11722-:d:917326
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