Online ISSN: 2515-8260

A study on self medication patterns of non-steroidal antiinflammatory drugs by the community.

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Dr. Rohit Kumar Singh1 , Dr. Jaleswar Prasad

Abstract

A cross-sectional study on consumption patterns of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) by the community without prescription was conducted in Gaya Town. A total of 504 encounters from 24 pharmacies were interviewed from people-found at purchase drugs at the pharmacy from their self demand. The commonest purchased NSAIDs per encounter was paracetamol (38.89%). Ibuprofen (11.91%), diclofenac sodium (12.9%), aspirin (6.94%), naproxen (6.36%) and other group all NSAIDs (23%) were also purchased. The influence by friends/ relatives (30.16%), previously advised by the doctor to purchase the NSAIDs for the same cornpteinal were (29.36%); pharmacy salesmen's advice (28.77%) and other reasons (11.71%). The total cost of purchased NSAIDs per encounter were less than Rs. 5(7.34%) Rs. 5 to less than Rs. 10 (44.64%), Rs. 10-25 (36.11%) and more than Rs. 25(11.91%). Single item of drug was purchased along with NSAIDs by 18.4% of encounters. Introduction. Fever and pain are usually the early symptoms of most of diseases. To Cure and controls of these symptoms non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have taken place in a large scale. To minimize the expenditure and hazards to consult with the physician and many more reasons people use to consume NSAIDs by his own will throughout the world. As Gaya is an important pilgrimage place and district headquarter of Gaya District whose population crossed 4 lacs, so it is a must to find out the patterns and magnitude of consummation of NSAIDs in this mass population. Almost all the drugs except narcotics were found to be sold in the market without prescription.

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