Prescription medication use in a chiropractic training clinic: Cause for vigilance

Abstract

Purpose: The concurrent use of CAM therapies with traditional allopathic medical practice is increasing. This study investigates the concurrent use of prescription medication in patients attending a chiropractic student teaching clinic for the first time. The need for practitioners to be aware of the side effects of prescribed medication patients are using is discussed.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 1008 new patient consultations at a university chiropractic teaching clinic.

Results: 549 prescription medications being used by 330 patients were included in the analysis. A total of 104 individual medications were identified of which 69 listed headache as a potential side effect of their use. 57 of 116 (49%) of patients seeking care for the treatment of headache were concurrently using these medications.

Conclusions: Patients presenting to the university chiropractic teaching clinic may be seeking care for symptoms attributed to prescription medication. The requirement that practitioners be aware of the side effects of prescribed medication patients are using is raised.

Keywords: Chiropractic; Cross-sectional study; Medication.