Abstract

ASSESSING THE DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN IN ANTENATAL WOMEN ATTENDING OUT PATIENT DEPARTMENT OF A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL.

*Dr. Jyothi R., Dr. Basavaraj Bhandare and Dr. Satyanarayana V.

Abstract

Background: The state of pregnancy requires that all medications should be prescribed with specific caution. The physiological state of pregnancy has an effect on the pharmacokinetics of drugs administered, with attendant risk on the developing foetus. Therefore categorization of drugs according to their pregnancy risk should be taken into consideration before a drug is prescribed for pregnant women. Objectives: To assess the drug utilization pattern in antenatal women attending out patient Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology. Methods: Prospective, Observational cross sectional study was conducted on 300 patients in Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology OPD at Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital after taking Informed Consent. Results: Out of 300 women, 42.33% were 22-24 years of age. The average number of drugs per pregnant woman was found to be 3.96. The most frequently prescribed drugs were calcium, oral iron, folic acid preparations, antibiotics and analgesics. Within the prescriptions the percentage of the drugs according to the categories was: Category A (68.23%), Category B drugs (23.27%), Category C drugs (4.62%), Category D drugs (4.03%), and Category X drugs 0.00% (none). Conclusion: Calcium, iron and Folic acid were the most frequently prescribed drugs. The study concludes that most of the drugs prescribed are safer.

Keywords: Pregnancy, Drug Utilization