DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN AND ADVERSE DRUG REACTION MONITORING IN URINARY TRACT INFECTION PATIENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Abstract

Background: Urinary tract infection is a key public health issue causing morbidity, esp. in women population. This problem is further aggravated in pregnant women. Aims: This study was designed to evaluate the drug prescribing behavior and adverse drug reaction monitoring in urinary tract infection patients in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: The present study was prospective, observational and carried out for four months, and done to assess the drug utilization pattern, adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and to identify the bacterial pathogens assocd. with UTI and their susceptibility to antibiotics. Results: A total of 327 female patients were evaluated, out of which 248 (75.84%) cases were symptomatic. The study reflected max. of 50.46% UTI in the age group 21-30 years. Pathogens isolated after a urine culture were of both Gram pos. 131 (40.07%) and Gram neg. 196 (59.93%) type. The max. incidence (45.80 %) occurred in last trimester of pregnancy. The most frequently prescribed antibiotic to the pregnant patients in our study was Nitrofurantoin, whereas Amoxicillin with Clavulanic acid was most frequently used in non pregnant cases. Most common ADRs reported with almost all classes of antibiotics was nausea and vomiting followed by vaginal irritation, skin rash and photosensitivity. Conclusion: To ensure appropriate therapy, current knowledge of the pathogenic organism and their antibiotic susceptibility pattern is mandatory, esp. in cases of UTI with pregnancy. [on SciFinder(R)]