Drug Use During Antenatal Period at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Objective

- To assess current treatment practices and awareness of drug intake, in pregnant women, at a tertiary care hospital.Methodology- Observational, cross-sectional study, involving interview with 60 pregnant women, in outpatient clinic and ward of Obstetrics-Gynaecology department. Data from prescriptions & case-files also collected. Drugs were classified according to pharmacological class and teratogenic potential using U.S. FDA classification.

Results

- Most commonly prescribed drugs were iron, folic acid and calcium supplements. Out of the total 215 drugs prescribed, majority were from Category A(70.2%) followed by Category B(18.6%),Category C(8.8%),Category-X(1.3%) and Category-D(0.9%). 26.6% women believed that drugs used during pregnancy can be dangerous to both mother and fetus; 55% believed it is dangerous to fetus alone and 1.6% believed it is dangerous to mother alone. But 16.6% women believed that drugs are safe to both mother and fetus.

Conclusion

- Treatment practices are appropriate but there is a need to educate and counsel pregnant women.