Drug utilization patterns in antenatal women at a tertiary hospital.

Summary of article contents:

Introduction

Pregnancy is characterized by significant physiological changes that affect a woman’s health and the pharmacokinetics of medications. It is crucial to prescribe medications with caution to safeguard both maternal and fetal health. Due to these unique challenges, drug utilization during pregnancy must be carefully analyzed, especially given the associated risks to the developing fetus. This study aims to assess drug utilization patterns among antenatal women visiting the outpatient Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Rajarajeswari Medical College and Hospital, focusing on the safety categorization of prescribed medications.

Drug Prescribing Patterns

The study revealed that the average number of drugs prescribed per pregnant woman was 3.96, which exceeds the World Health Organization (WHO) standard range of 1.6-1.8 medications. Among the 300 antenatal women analyzed, most prescriptions included essential supplements such as calcium (88.3%), iron (78%), and multivitamins (62.3%). The data also indicated a significant prescribing of antibiotics and analgesics. A notable percentage of patients received injections (26.33%) and antibiotics (16.33%). These figures suggest that while polypharmacy is being avoided to a certain extent, there is a pressing need for strategies to encourage standard prescribing practices.

Safety Categories of Drugs

The research further classified prescribed drugs according to the US Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) risk categories during pregnancy. An impressive 68.23% of the drugs fell into Category A, which indicates they are considered safe for use during pregnancy based on well-controlled studies. Category B drugs accounted for 23.27%, followed by Category C at 4.62% and Category D at 4.03%. Notably, no drugs classified as Category X, which is contraindicated in pregnancy, were prescribed. This classification underscores the focus on prescribing relatively safer medications for pregnant women within this study.

Socio-Demographic Insights

A socio-economic analysis using Kuppuswamy’s classification revealed that a majority of the women were from lower-middle-class backgrounds (49%). The age distribution showed a significant portion of patients (42.33%) falling within the 22-24 years age group. Primigravida and multigravida patients were nearly evenly distributed, with 45% and 55%, respectively. Most women sought medical advice during their first trimeter, a trend that varied from findings in other studies where later trimesters were more common. These demographic insights could inform future antenatal care services tailored to the local population.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study indicates a rational drug use pattern among antenatal women in the outpatient setting, with a predominant prescription of safer medications. The findings advocate for careful monitoring of drug utilization to further mitigate the risks associated with pharmacotherapy during pregnancy. While the average number of drugs per prescription is relatively high, the absence of Category X medications and the predominance of Category A drugs suggest a cautious and responsible prescribing behavior. Overall, the research serves to guide future strategies for improving drug safety practices in antenatal care.