Pradeep Kumar Thakur, Ayesha Majid, M. Shramik, Shiv Kumar
Background: Corticosteroids being widely used powerful anti-inflammatory & immunosuppressive agents and have become cornerstone of therapy in acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Corticosteroids though they are lifesaving drugs, produce adverse reactions which may be mild or life threatening. Considerable attention should be given to relative risks & benefits, benefits definitely outweighing the risks & individualization of treatment is necessary.
Objective: This study was aimed to evaluate the utilization of corticosteroids in OPD patients with the secondary objective to assess co-prescription with corticosteroids, the nature and severity of drug-drug interactions, with an intention to prevent the inappropriate use of corticosteroids.
Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out in 109 Out-patients from various departments of the hospital during 6 months period and subjected to statistical analysis.
Results: Out of total 109 prescription scrutinized, both male and female were almost equally prescribed and maximum were from mid aged group. Most of patients were from dermatology ward (60.5%) and were prescribed of corticosteroids with monotherapy (90.8%). The total number of drug prescribed was 3 to 4 in most of the patients and the average number was 3.67. Most of the patients were prescribed corticosteroids for not more than 1-2 weeks. The clobetasone was found to be most widely prescribed through the topical route. The drug interaction was found to be considerably low and most concurrent drug administered was antibiotics.
Conclusion: We found all the prescriptions were rational. Most of all patients were diagnosed well and were prescribed corticosteroids by maintaining pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters. Educational interventions among physician, patients as well as students should be carried out to in order to further enhance rational drug use.
