Medicine Use Pattern among Pregnant Women Attending Obstetrics and Gynaecology Department of Tertiary Care Hospital: An Observational Study

Abstract

Introduction: Irrational use of medicines during pregnancy may have harmful effects on mother and fetus. The study aimed to understand medicine use patterns in pregnant women attending obstetrics and gynecology department.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Obstetrics & gynecology department from 30 December, 2024 to July 1, 2025 for a duration of six months after approval from Institutional Review Committee, Protocol No: IRC-LMC 25/N-24. Pregnant women who were prescribed with at least one drug included in the study. A convenient sampling technique was used. Data of pregnant women
related to socio-demographic profile, obstetric history, clinical characteristics, and medication use were collected. United States Food and Drug Administration risk classification system was reviewed to evaluate risk levels of drugs during pregnancy. Data were expressed in mean, frequency and percentage using Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 18.

Results: Among 182 pregnant women, 100 (54.95%) were multigravida. A total of 704 drugs were prescribed. Average number of drugs prescribed per pregnancy was 3.87±1.45. Of the total prescribed drugs, 154 (21.87%) were ferrous salt. Drugs prescribed by generic name and prescribed from essential drug list of Nepal were 395 (56.10%) and 686 (97.44%), respectively. Moreover, 532 (75.56%)
drugs were used from Category A of United States Food and Drug Administration risk classification system.

Conclusions: Majority of drugs used in pregnant women belonged to safe categories of the United States Food and Drug Administration risk classification. Prescriptions reflect safety and rational use of drugs in pregnant women.