DRUG USE EVALUATION OF DIABETES MELLITUS IN NON-HOSPITALIZED PATIENTS Original Article

Objective: As irrational drug administration in these patients can increase the overall burden of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) on the health system in different societies, we decided to investigate the patterns of antidiabetic drug administration and the way these patients are monitored in our community. Methods: This is a prospective cross-sectional study performed in the city of Zabol in a 9 mo period. Diabetic patients, who referred to local pharmacies, were interviewed and data about their demographic characteristics, current and previous anti diabetic regimen, adverse drug reactions co morbidities as well as diabetes symptoms on diagnoses and its complications were collected. Results: Our study showed that metformin was the most frequent used oral hypoglycemic agents (OHA) (66.4 %) followed by sulfonylurea, and the most prevalent combination therapy was metformin/glibenclamide regimen (28.5%). The majority of patients treated with metformin at the time when they were diagnosed with diabetes (45.3 %). In terms of co-existing disease and target organ damages, hypertension and visual impairment ranked first in our study population. Hypoglycemic episodes were most commonly reported adverse events with insulin and gastric upset with OHAs. 60.3% of our patients didn’t follow regular blood glucose checkup. Conclusion: It is concluded that the prescribing pattern in DM is moving from monotherapy with either insulin or sulfonylureas towards combination therapies. This study strongly highlights the need for patient education and comprehensive counseling about the importance of strict commitment to antidiabetic regimen, lifestyle modification, monitoring blood glucose as well as its related complications regularly, for successful management of diabetes.