A SHORT-TERM PROSPECTIVE STUDY ON DRUG UTILIZATION EVALUATION & RELATED PROBLEMS OF NON-STEROIDAL ANTI-INFLAMMATORY DRUGS AT A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. V. M. Chandrashekhar*, Dr. Madhu Patil, Dr. Sabarinath H., Dr. Rhema Sara Jose, Dr. Ancil Babu, Dr. Achu Girish

ABSTRACT

Background: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used all over the world for their analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and antipyretic effects. NSAIDs are among the most commonly prescribed classes of medications globally and account for approximately 5–10% of all medications each year. The use of NSAIDs increased the risk of Gastro-Intestinal complications in 55 – 75% of healthy volunteers. Objectives: To study the drug utilization, evaluation, and drug- related problems of NSAIDs used in in-patients at tertiary care hospitals. Methods: This was a prospective and observational study conducted in the inpatient department of a tertiary care hospital. The study was conducted by reviewing and collecting the case sheets of patients who were administered NSAIDs. The collected data were analyzed to study the prescribing pattern; drug-related problems of NSAIDs and assess the usage of gastroprotective agents among chronic NSAIDs users and identification of adverse drug reactions. Results: Among 110 patients who satisfied eligibility criteria and were prescribed NSAID, drugs 73(66.37%) participants received monotherapy, 31(28.18%) participants received two-drug therapy, and a three-drug combination was given to 6 (5.45%). Patients were prescribed NSAIDs with/without Gastroprotective Agents, out of 110 patients - 105 patients were prescribed Gastroprotective Agents in combination (95.45%) and 5 patients were given NSAIDs alone (4.55%). Among Drug-Related Problems, there were 4 (6.452%) adverse drug reactions, 38 (61.29%) clinically significant drug interactions, a subtherapeutic dose in 2(3.22%), and an overdose of NSAIDs in 18 (29.032%) was observed. Conclusions: We conclude that drug-related problems associated with NSAIDs continue to be a major barrier to effective treatment and management of inflammation. And our results reflect the same. A broader study is needed to further study analyze and address this concern. The study supports the actions to implement pharmaceutical care programs that could positively affect healthcare and prevent complications in in-patients associated with NSAIDs.

Keywords: Drug Utilization; Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs; Drug-Related Problems; Prescribing Pattern; Gastroprotective Agents.