Comparative study of knowledge, attitude and practice of self-medication among undergraduate students of MBBS and BDS

Background: Comparative studies are quite useful in evaluating the current practices in self medication among a similar subset of population. Since, self medication is one of the major causes of promoting irrational use of drugs its burden needs to be estimated more so in students with medical background.Methods: The study was conducted in a tertiary care teaching medical college among MBBS and BDS students. A questionnaire was selected based on outcome of small surveys done prior to this current study was among the MBBS and BDS students to assess their Knowledge, attitude and practice (KAP) towards self medication. Data was analyzed and expressed as numbers and percentage.Results: Total 180 students participated in the study voluntarily (100 MBBS and 80 BDS). Knowledge regarding self medication was more seen in MBBS students as compared to dental students. Only five of MBBS students encountered ADR’s(Adverse drug reactions) due to self medication. Analgesic group of drugs was the most common medication used by both the groups and pain was the chief component for which drug therapy was used.Conclusions: This study showed that students had fair knowledge about self medication but it appeared to be more among MBBS students as compared to BDS, although knowledge about ADR’s was not up to the mark. The attitude and practice of self medication was similar in both the groups. Thus, it is important to impart proper knowledge about self medication among medical students and encouragement regarding ADR teaching should be promoted.

Drug Interaction of Amiodarone, Flecainide, Metoprolol and Diltiazem leading to Heart Block.

Amiodarone, flecainide, metoprolol and diltiazem individually are known to cause heart blocks due to their cardiac depressant property but the current case report is worth reporting because it resulted because of drug interaction of multiple drugs due to possible medication error.

Profile of Adverse Drug Reactions with Fixed Drug Combinations: How Big is the Problem.

The current study was undertaken to analyze the profile of adverse drug reaction (ADR) contributed by fixed drug combinations (FDC). A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted over a period of 2 years to evaluate the profile of ADR contributed by FDC using suspected ADR data collection form used under Pharmacovigiliance Programme of India (PvPI). A total number of 2242 ADRs were reported during the study period of two years out of which drug combinations responsible for ADRs were 589 (26.27%). Fixed drug combinations (FDC) contributing to ADRs were 88(3.9%). As per latest WHO essential drug list, irrational FDC were responsible for 83 (3.70%) accounting 94.3% of the total FDC. Whereas, only 5(0.2%) of rational FDC contributed to the total pool of ADRs. Most frequent drug combination contributing to ADR was of anticancer drugs leading to vomiting and alopecia, where as most common irrational FDC was aceclofenac plus thiocolchicoside and ofloxacin plus ornidazole leading insomnia & rash respectively. Levodopa plus carbidopa and trimethoprim plus sulphamethoxazole were two common rational FDC contributing to ADRs. The above results underscores that drug combinations and FDC as well as irrational FDC substantially contribute towards the pool of total ADRs.

Isoniazid Induced Psychosis (Self Harm Behaviour) with Neuropathy & Vitamin B6 Deficiency.

Isoniazid induced psychosis (IIP) is well reported with varied clinical presentations. Many hypotheses are available to explain the mechanism of (IIP) but lack conclusive evidence in its favour. The current case establishes neuropathy with vitamin B6 deficiency as a possible cause for IIP warranting early clinician's attention as the condition may be potentially serious & life threatening.