Prescription Pattern of Drugs and Evaluation of Their Effectiveness in The Management of Admitted Covid-19 Patients in A Tertiary Care Hospital - A Retrospective Observational Study

Abstract Corona virus can infect humans periodically due to high prevalence, distribution, mutant variants etc. Present study evaluated the prescription pattern and effectiveness of drugs used in COVID-19 inpatients of a tertiary care hospital. Present retrospective observational study included 1339 COVID-19 inpatients. In overall drugs, average number of drugs per encounter, prescription of brand name drugs and antibiotics whereas in COVID-19 drugs, generic name drugs, injections outnumbered when compared to alternative group. Ongoing COVID-19 management guidelines were followed. Males during waves 1,2 and females during wave 3 while patients aged 21-70, 31-70 and 21-30 years during waves 1, 2 and 3 respectively were affected more. Third wave witnessed more infants and younger patients. Breathlessness, primary contact, cough and fever were major reasons for conducting screening tests. Leading new symptoms included Pneumonia, cough and fever. Serum creatinine, C-reactive proteins and random blood sugar estimation were conducted in more patients. Most of X-ray and computerized tomography investigations revealed positive findings. Mild form during waves 1, 2 whereas mild and severe forms during wave 2 outnumbered. Average number of days stayed in hospital was more in males and patients with comorbidities during all waves. Percentage of patients admitted to Intensive care unit and requiring oxygen therapy was more with: males during waves 1, 3, females during wave 2 and with patients having comorbidities during waves 1 and 2 (> 50%). Details regarding adverse drug reactions, types of oxygen therapy, COVID-19 vaccination and advise on discharge were not mentioned in case records. During waves 1 (90%) and 3 (95%) large while during wave 2 (48%) less number of COVID-19 patients recovered.