ABUSE OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG METRONIDAZOLE IN DIARRHEA BY LAYMEN POPULATION OF KARACHI

Sana Sarfaraz*, Faqeeha Shakeel, Fatima Sajjad, Kanza Haider, Urooba Fatima, Sarah Ahmed Siddique

ABSTRACT

Background: The abuse of prescription drugs are increasing day by day because of lack of knowledge and lack of counseling. This is a significant social problem which has to be minimized by developing awareness regarding prescription drugs in different Medical communities and laymen and establishing community pharmacies. Objective: Metronidazole is the drug which is used in diarrhea, in our study we have focused on its abuse by layman and unawareness in Medical communities regarding it being a prescription drug. Methodology: A survey based study of N=200 laymen population including both male and female aged 18-55 were carried out. We also targeted N=100 Physicians and N=100 Retail drug sellers in order to observe prescription and dispensing pattern. Result and Discussion: From our results we found that 65% laymen self medicate in diarrhea and use combination of ORS and metronidazole which was prescribed by physician once in life. 86% physician where as 91% retail drug sellers consider it as over the counter (OTC) medicine. 57% laymen take metronidazole depending on number of stool passed regardless of frequency which should be followed. Conclusion: From our study we came to conclude that Metronidazole is being used as over the counter drug and laymen are using it to self medicate themselves in diarrhea which can lead to its resistance and adverse effects in them. Awareness needs to be created in medical communities and laymen regarding this issue.

Keywords: Prescription drugs, Over the counter drugs, community pharmacy , metronidazole, flagyl.