1* Postgraduate, Department of Pharmacology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Research Institute, BIHER, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. (Corresponding Author)
2 Professor, Department of Pharmacology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Research Institute, BIHER, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
3 Professor & H.O.D, Department of Pharmacology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Research Institute, BIHER, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Corresponding Author: Dr. V.S. Shriramu, Postgraduate, Department of Pharmacology, Sree Balaji Medical College and Research Institute, BIHER, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
Email: dr.shriramu@gmail.com | Phone no: 9894331418
Received: 20th Feb, 2026 | Revised: 4th Mar, 2026 | Accepted: 25th Mar, 2026 | Available Online: 10th Apr, 2026
Background: Benzodiazepines (BZD) have become one of the most commonly prescribed classes of drugs due to their multiple therapeutic actions such as anxiolytics, sedatives, seizures, muscle relaxants and dependence syndrome. Epidemiologic data from Europe, Canada, Japan and Australia indicate that rates of benzodiazepine use in the general population were found to be around 6%. It is reported that BZDs are often prescribed without any appropriate documentation for its use in the patients. The aim of this study is to assess the rationale use of benzodiazepines and its complications among various departments in a Tertiary care hospital.
Methods: A prospective study was conducted with a sample size of 200 for a period of three months. Data was collected from patients based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Naranjo Adverse Drug Reaction Probability Scale and Drug Interaction Probability Scale (DIPS) were used as a study tool to measure the causality of adverse drug reactions and drug interactions. Based on the dosage of various benzodiazepines, Defined Daily Dose (DDD) was calculated and compared with WHO Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) classification.
Results: BZD's were mostly prescribed in males (74.5%) and married patients (86.5%) were more exposed to benzodiazepines compared to others. Lorazepam (70.1%) was found to be the most commonly used drug, mainly prescribed for sedation, followed by anxiety. DDD was calculated and majority of patients had DDD in accordance with WHO standard. Based on cost analysis, Clobazam was found to be the high cost and Lorazepam being the low-cost drug. The results of drug utilization evaluation of benzodiazepines study along with its complications were compiled and reported to the respected department physician and their feedback was collected.
Conclusion: The study envisages the Rational use of Benzodiazepines. Also it showed that the negative outcomes of BZD can be reduced by providing drug-related information to the prescribers and consumers.
Keywords: Benzodiazepines, Drug utilization, Naranjo adverse drug reaction scale, Drug Interaction Probability Scale (DIPS), Defined Daily Dose (DDD).
How to cite this article: Shriramu VS, Farhana Rahman, Arul Amutha Elizabeth. A Study on Drug Utilization Evaluation of Benzodiazepines and Its Complications in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Tamilnadu. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(4):490-495. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.4.49
Source of support: Nil.
Conflict of interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.