Abstract

Rona Sudhakar*, Dona Saju, Manjumol Jose, Moushmi Arulmoorthy, Hemalatha Selvaraj, Sheik Haja Sherief

ABSTRACT

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) are the class of drugs that is used indiscriminately, despite the increased reports of adverse events. Aim: The study was conducted to evaluate the drug utilization pattern of PPIs in the in-patient department and to assess the rational prescription thereby improving the prescriber awareness and patient care. Methods: Prospective observational study on the drug utilization pattern of PPIs was conducted for 3 months in the in-patients of general medicine and surgery departments. We collected 40 cases with PPI prescriptions and evaluated the rationality in the use of PPIs considering the frequency and route of administration, drug interactions, and concurrent medications prescribed. Results: In the study, out of 40 patients on PPI, 60% were females and the rest were males. Most of the patients belonged to the age group of 51 - 60 years (12). PPIs were most commonly prescribed for patients with a diagnosis of Respiratory tract infections (42.5%), followed by infectious diseases and gastrointestinal diseases. Pantoprazole was the most commonly prescribed PPI. They were commonly prescribed in the oral route (70%) and on a once-daily basis (62.5%). Antibiotics (50%) and NSAIDs (7.5%) were the most common drugs used along with PPIs. Conclusion: PPIs should be used more judiciously and awareness should be created among clinicians in the hospital so that appropriate use of prescriptions with PPIs should improve patient care.