Halil Kara
Rational use of medicines is necessary in order to protect the human health and to provide sustainable healthcare services in a qualified way. In a practical way, rational drug use especially in special groups like pregnant and lactating women, elderly patients, newborns and children become more important. Iron and folic acid deficiency are the most common health problems that may be seen in pregnancy and need to be treated. Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of drugs may be changed due to the physiological changes in pregnancy. Iron and folic acid requirement enhances due to the increased consumption during pregnancy. Weakness and fatigue may be occurred due to the insufficient oxygenation of the tissues in the mother because of the iron and the folic acid deficiency in pregnancy. Developmental failure, abortion and neural tube defects may be also occurred in the infants. The aim of this study was to determine iron and folic acid prescription rate in pregnant women and the attitudes of pregnant women in case of adverse reactions in the meaning of principles of rational drug use.
