Publication:

Drug utilization study and adverse drug reactions of oral anti diabetics among type 2 diabetes mellitus patients in tertiary care hospital

Background The aim was to evaluate the drug utilization pattern of oral antidiabetic drugs in type 2 diabetes mellitus outpatients and monitor adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with oral antidiabetic drugs.

Methods A retrospective observational study was carried out by collecting the data of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients visiting outpatient department of noncommunicable disease clinic of a tertiary care hospital for a period of one year. The data of demographic, drug utilization pattern and adverse drug reactions of patients on oral antidiabetic drugs was collected and entered in a proforma.

Results Total number of patients in this study were 39 out of which 21 (53.85%) patients were females and 18 (46.15%) patients were males. Majority of patients were in the age group 51-70 years (66.6%). Metformin was the most commonly prescribed drug 76.9% followed by Glibenclamide 17.9%. About 7.7% of patients who were taking oral antidiabetic drugs later switched over to insulin as their blood glucose levels were not controlled. Out of 18 (46.15%) patients, hypertension (38.5%) was the most common comorbid condition and a concomitant drug was prescribed was amlodipine 25.6%. Among all the adverse drug reactions observed, diarrhoea was the most common adverse drug reaction reported 76.9%.

Conclusions Metformin was the most commonly used oral antidiabetic drug. Diarrhoea was the common adverse drug reaction reported.