Drug utilization studies helps to determine the role of drugs in society. For the treatment of type II diabetes mellitus, metformin is mainly used. Metformin is an insulin sensitizing agent with powerful antihyperglycemic properties. Metformin is considered as first glucose lowering agent of choice, when compared to other antidiabetic agents, due to its efficacy, security profile, benefic cardiovascular and metabolic effects. Hence our study aims to evaluate the drug utilization pattern of metformin and its combinations and to monitor the drug interactions and adverse drug reactions associated with metformin and its combinations. A prospective and observational study was carried out in 213 inpatients and outpatients with type II diabetes mellitus from November 2016 - April 2017. The data was collected from all patient case sheets/medication charts and prescriptions, after obtaining ethical clearance from Institutional Ethical Committee of AIMS, B.G. Nagara. The data was analysed using Microsoft excel. Total of 213 patients was reviewed, out of which 57.75% were females and 42.25% were males. Among various age groups, maximum numbers of patients i.e. 58.22% were found in the age group of 46-65 years. Category of patients based on occupation revealed that 53.1% of patients were house wives. Majority of patients i.e., 129 (60.05%) were suffering from associated comorbidities and 84 (39.44%) were not having any comorbidity. Hypertension (45.07%) was being the commonest comorbidity in 96 patients. 202 (94.84%) patients had no interactions, 8 (3.76%) patients had minor interactions, 3 (1.41%) patients had moderate interactions. Majority of the subjects i.e. 131 (61.50%) had a diabetic history of 2-10 years. Commonly prescribed oral anti-diabetic drug was metformin, which was given in 122 (57.28%) patients followed by metformin and glimepiride in 81 (38.03%) patients. Drugs were prescribed as monotherapy in 122 patients and as dual therapy in 85 patients as well as three drug therapies in 6 patients. This study gives a picture of the pattern of metformin use among diabetes patients and also provides valuable information for the health care team. Metformin was the most frequently prescribed oral anti diabetic drug as monotherapy whereas metformin and glimepiride as dual therapy.
Loading....