BMJ  2004;329 (2 October), doi:10.1136/bmj.329.7469.0-d

Fasting during Ramadan affects drug treatment

Extensive misuse of drugs during Ramadan may lead to therapeutic failure. On p 778 Aadil and colleagues analyse how the change of dosing time and schedule may affect the efficacy of treatment. Slow release formulations and a lower number of daily doses may improve the plasma concentration of some drugs, but the potential for toxicity is high for drugs with a narrow therapeutic range. During Ramadan patients arbitrarily modify their dosing schedules and even total daily dosage, often without medical advice. Patients often insist on fasting, even though those with chronic diseases are permitted not to fast and patients with acute diseases are allowed to stop fasting and make up for it after Ramadan.

Credit: K NOMACHI/REX

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Drug intake during Ramadan

N Aadil, I E Houti, and S Moussamih
BMJ 2004 329: 778-782. [Extract] [Full Text] [PDF]