Drug Utilization Study in Geriatric Patients Visiting the Outpatient Department in Tertiary Care Rural Hospital

Abstract

Aim & Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the disease pattern, drugs used & the prescribing patterns to the geriatric patients at rural hospital. Materials and Methods: A total of 300 patients were enrolled in the prospective, cross sectional study. The demographic details, drugs used condition for which the drugs were prescribed and other related factors; names by which they were prescribed, use of fixed dose combinations were recorded and subjected to analysis. Observation and Results: Enrolled patients belonged to the age between 65 to 74 years, who presented with cardiovascular (21.22%) followed by musculoskeletal conditions (17.44%). Medicines were mostly prescribed by brand names 72.11%, Ranitidine was most frequently prescribed followed by Aceclofenac. About 20.35% were prescribes as FDCs for ex; Aceclofenac + Paracetamol was most commonly prescribed FDC followed by Amoxicillin + Clavulanic Acid. Conclusion: Cautious use of medicines in geriatric patients is essential which can be provided by rational prescribing