Published Paper Details:

Background: Corticosteroids are a significant category of medications in dermatology and are frequently prescribed. However, despite their effectiveness, they are associated with various adverse effects. Given that many skin conditions are chronic, it is crucial to ensure that the use of these drugs is rational. Consequently, this study was conducted with the objective of examining the utilization pattern of topical corticosteroids. Methods: This was a hospital-based, prospective, and observational study conducted over a 12-month period. Data collection involved one-on-one consultations with patients, and the information collected was recorded in a specially designed form. Subsequently, the data were entered and analysed using Microsoft Excel. Results: The study revealed that 48% of the patients were male, while 52% were female. The majority of patients fell within the 21-30 age group (30%). Scabies (30%) emerged as the most prevalent dermatological condition. Among the different topical corticosteroids prescribed, mometasone furoate (31.4%) was the most frequently chosen. In addition to topical corticosteroids, H1 antihistaminic drugs like levocetirizine (81.6%) were commonly prescribed, along with emollients (36.4%) and permethrin (29.2%). On average, each prescription included 3.6 drugs, all of which were prescribed using their generic names. Conclusions: Regularly monitoring the drug utilization pattern through prescription auditing is an effective tool for establishing guidelines to improve the utilization of medications.