Drug Utilization Pattern in the Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Nepal

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the major causes of death around the world. Early detection and management can decrease disease progression and mortality. COPD cannot be managed with monotherapy and requires multidrug therapy. The present study planned to assess the drug utilization pattern in COPD patients. Aim and Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the pattern of common drugs used in COPD patients. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology, Kathmandu Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Nepal. According to study protocol, a total of 160 patients were included in the study. All the patients’ demographic, clinical and medication details were collected and analyzed. Results: A total of 160 COPD patients were analyzed. Among them 101 were males and 59 were females. The mean age of the study population was 61.87 ± 6.85. The corticosteroids were the most common drugs prescribed (26.53%) followed by LABA and anticholinergics. Conclusion: The study results concluded that most of the patients were taking corticosteroids. The main predisposing factor for COPD was found to be smoking. Key Words: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Drug Utilization, Adverse Drug Reaction