The use of anti-asthmatic medications among pediatric patients in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: To describe the use of anti-asthma drugs in Taiwanese pediatric patients.

METHODS

Using the data from the database of Bureau of National Health Insurance, we analyze the patterns and extent of medication use among asthma patients less than 18 years old. Drugs were classified according to the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification system.

RESULTS

Data on a total of 2,90,467 children were included in the study. Overall, patients were treated more frequently with oral medications. 69.43 and 40.24% of patients were using oral beta-agonists (OBAs) and methylxanthines respectively. Monotherapy with OBAs was the most popular regimen, accounting for 13.70% of the total prescriptions studied. Only 6.70% of patients were taking inhaled corticosteroids (ICSs). During the studied period, users of ICSs were using an average of 1.65 canisters.

CONCLUSIONS

The current practices of asthma management in Taiwan fall short of the goals stated in international guidelines. Anti-inflammatory agents were being underused in Taiwanese pediatric patients.