Abstract

SELF MEDICATION OF ANTIMICROBIALS AND EXPLORING AWARENESS OF ADRS TO SELF MEDICATION OF ANTIMICROBIALS IN PUNE, MAHARASHTRA, INDIA

Giriraj Gajendra, Yogendra Keche, Radha Yegnanarayan, Shruti Jaiswal, Aditi Dakua, Gourav Das, Kshitija Chandanwale, Aishwarya Bhat, Surabhi Jain, Vinaya Lanke, Sailee Belvi 

Abstract

Objective: To find out self medication pattern of antimicrobials in Pune. Methods: II MBBS students collected the information of names of antimicrobials self medication, dose, frequency of administration, health related problem for use of self medication, source of information of self medication and information about ADRs with the help of semi-structured questionnaire. Students also educated the population about ADRs to antimicrobial with the help of ADR checklist. Medical shopkeeper’s knowledge about ADRs and reasons for not providing information of ADRs to population had been explored. Results: Macrolides and fluroquinolones were commonly self medicated in Pune and fluroquinolones groups caused ADRs in about 66 %. Drugs like levofloxacin, roxithromycin, ampicillin were taken less than WHO DDD and some antimicrobials were taken less than 3 days period. 70-80% population was ignorant about ADRs to antimicrobials. About 85 % medical shopkeepers did not provided information of ADRs to self medication and lack of time was observed as major reason for this. Conclusions: Strict FDA regulations for dispensing of antibiotics strictly with prescription of RMP may help in decreasing hazards of antimicrobial self medications like adverse effects and development of resistance.

Keywords: Self medication of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance, ADRs to antimicrobial self medication.