Drug utilization studies conducted at regular intervals help to guide the physician in rational drug prescription. This was a prospective observational study conducted in cardiology out-patient department for a period of six months. A total of 310 prescriptions were collected and analyzed during the study period. 28% of the patients were in the age group of 50-59 years and this was found to be higher in men. Male patients were more (60.96%) than female patients (39.03%). Average no. of drugs per prescription was 3.62. The average no. of antihypertensive drugs per prescription was 1.3. Study shows urban people were more (63.22%) than rural (36.77%). One antihypertensive drug containing prescriptions were more (40.85%) compared to two or three drug combination. The most frequently prescribed antihypertensives were β blockers (28.48%) followed by diuretics (24.70%). The most common two drug combination therapy involved in the study was aldosterone antagonists + diuretics (57.62%) followed by beta blockers + calcium channel blocker (20.33%). Moderate potential drug interactions were observed more in the study. In our study we conclude that the present study represents the current prescribing trends for antihypertensives. The most commonly prescribed drug classes involved were beta blockers followed by diuretics. The prescribing practices of antihypertensives by cardiologists showed adherence to the existing guidelines.
Loading....