| SHORT COMMUNICATION |
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| Year : 2013 | Volume
: 45
| Issue : 2 | Page : 180-183 |
Comparison of the pattern, efficacy, and tolerability of self-medicated drugs in primary dysmenorrhea: A questionnaire based survey
Ramya Sugumar1, Vasundara Krishnaiah1, Gokul Shetty Channaveera2, Shilpa Mruthyunjaya3
1 Department of Pharmacology, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka, India
2 Department of Pharmacology, Jagadguru Jayadeva Murugarajendra Medical College, Davangere, Karnataka, India
3 Department of Physiology, Mysore Medical College, Mysore, Karnataka, India
Correspondence Address:
Ramya Sugumar
Department of Pharmacology, Kempegowda Institute of Medical Sciences, Bangalore, Karnataka
India
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/0253-7613.108312
Objective: To compare the pattern, efficacy, and tolerability of self-medicated drugs and to assess the adequacy of their dose in primary dysmenorrhea (PD).
Materials and Methods: A survey using a self-developed, validated, objective, and structured questionnaire as a tool was conducted among subjects with PD. Statistical analysis was carried out using Chi-square test and ANOVA with post-hoc Tuckey's test.
Results: Out of 641 respondents, 42% were self-medicated. The pattern of drugs used was: Dicyclomine, an unknown drug, mefenamic acid, mefenamic acid + dicyclomine, and metamizole by 35%, 29%, 26%, 9%, and 1% of respondents, respectively. Mefenamic acid + dicyclomine, the combination was the most efficacious in comparison to other drugs in moderate to severe dysmenorrhea. There was better tolerability with mefenamic acid + dicyclomine group compared to other drugs. Sub-therapeutic doses were used by 86% of self-medicating respondents.
Conclusions: The prevailing self-medication practices were inappropriate in a substantial proportion of women with inadequate knowledge regarding appropriate drug choice, therapeutic doses, and their associated side effects.
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