Methods: The prospective study was conducted in 15 Bedded Medicine ICU from Sept. 2010 to Feb. 2011. Total 224 prescriptions were collected. Data was analyzed for various drug use indicators. We used the anatomic therapeutic chemical classification (ATC) for the calculation of the defined daily dose (DDD) and the drug utilization (DU) 90% methodology to determine drug use.

Result: During study period out of total 224 cases analyzed consisting 130 (58.03%) male patient. The most common diagnosis which warranted admission to ICU was cardiovascular diseases (42%), followed by infective diseases (13.75%). The utilization of commonly prescribed AMAs cefotaxime, metronidazole, ampicillin & meropenem were 30, 22.5, 15.96 and 8.96 DDD/100 bed-days respectively. While the utilization of commonly prescribed cardiovascular drugs, atorvastatin, furosemide, isosorbide dinitrate & enalapril were 36, 23.7, 22.32 and 20.9 DDD/100 bed-days respectively. The ICU mortality rate was 12.5%.

Conclusion: Prescribers education to improve the prescribing pattern is needed. The study identified the associated problem and provides necessary feedback to the prescribers.