Prescription pattern analysis during pregnancy in a tertiary care hospital, Famagusta, north Cyprus

Abstract

Background: Prescribing pattern in pregnancy population provide insights during drug profile and also minimizes the inherent risks due to unethical prescribing. The study aimed to evaluate the prescribing pattern of drugs among pregnant women. the irrational use of drugs is a concern for the present-day medical practice. Objectives: To evaluate and assess the FDA category drug use pattern using in pregnancy and to determine the percentages of pregnant women prone to possible teratogens, namely category C, D and X. Methodology: This was a prospective observational study at a tertiary care hospital. Famagusta, North Cyprus. All the medically relevant information was documented using a predefined data collection form and the case charts were also analyzed. Results: Drugs effecting in GIT were with the frequencies of 242 (18.5%) and it was found that the use of antibiotics and antiemetic drugs was also more common during pregnancy Out of 1333 drugs prescribed drugs according to the US FDA category is given below and 785 (58.88%) belongs to category B followed by 350 (26.25) in category A and least were in category D 4 (0.3%). Conclusions: Evaluating and assessing the prescribing pattern will minimize the teratogenicity and risk to the mother during pregnancy.