Proton Pump Inhibitor Medications
We are committed to helping facilitate quality pharmaceutical care for your patients who are our members. Our pharmacy services program is designed to promote appropriate length of therapy of proton pump inhibitors (PPI).
Evidence from clinical studies published in current medical literature suggests that:
- many patients who use the acid blocker drugs called proton pump inhibitors can either stop taking this medicine or lower the amount they take after two or three months of treatment, and
- patients should have a follow-up meeting with their doctor to make ongoing treatment decisions.
When your patient fills a PPI prescription exceeding 90 days duration of therapy, the pharmacist will be alerted by a message on his or her computer system. (Note: This does not apply to prescriptions for Prilosec 10mg/day or Prevacid 15mg/day. These doses do not require exception beyond the 90-day point.) Your patient will receive a 30-day supply of medication to minimize any disruption in your patient's therapy. We will send your patients some educational information encouraging them to talk with you about their current medication before they request further refills. We ask that you, the physician, review the patient's medications and determine whether or not the prescription treatment should be adjusted. If, in your medical opinion, the patient requires an exception to these limits, please contact us at 1-888-261-1756, Option 2, or fax us the attached form.
Note: Requesting an exception will make things easier for your patients. If the patient tries to refill the same PPI and you have not requested an exception, the pharmacy will receive another alert message and will be unable to fill the prescription until we receive a phone call from you.
Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPI) Therapy
| Omeprazole (Prilosec®) | Daily dose = 20mg/day for 91 days or more |
| Lansoprazole (Prevacid®) | Daily dose = 30mg/day for 91 days or more |
| Rabeprazole (Aciphex®) | Daily dose = 20mg/day for 91 days or more |
| Pantoprazole (Protonix®) | Daily dose = 40mg/day for 91 days or more |
| Esomeprazole Magnesium (Nexium®) | Daily dose = 20mg/day for 91 days or more |
For further information about managing dyspepsia and reflux disease patients, you may wish to review the references below. If you have any questions regarding this program, please call Pharmacy Services at 1-888-261-1756, Option 2.
REFERENCES:
Clinical Practice Guidelines for Treatment of Dyspepsia, Heartburn and Regurgitation. Premera Blue Cross 2000. (Adapted from the University of Washington on-line Guidelines: Gastroenterology and Hepatology for the Primary Care Provider, Kimmey MB and Lee SP, Ed. (See www. uwgi.org.)
