Background: Hypertension is a major independent risk factor for coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, stroke, chronic kidney disease and peripheral vascular diseases if left untreated. Drug utilization study of antihypertensive drugs and the study on prevalence of blood pressure control would help in reducing the burden of the disease and health expenditure.Methods: The study was conducted in the Outpatient Department of Medicine in Government Medical College, Thrissur. Patients aged 18yrs or above diagnosed with hypertension, on antihypertensive drugs were enrolled in the study. Patients suffering from secondary hypertension and acutely ill were excluded. Patients were enrolled after taking an informed consent. Demographic data, present treatment for hypertension, associated co- morbid conditions if any, and treatment of the same were recorded. BP was recorded, and cost of treatment was calculated using CIMS.Results: A total of 250 patients were included in the study. Mono therapy was used in 64.8% patients and combination therapy in 35.2%. Overall drug utilization pattern showed that CCBs (42.8%) were most commonly prescribed, followed by ACEIs (32.4%) and ARBs (29.2%). Most commonly prescribed combination therapy was ACE I + BB (29.3%), followed by ARB + CCB (21.3%). Mean cost of antihypertensive drug therapy was 3057.8 Rs / yr. Recommended target BP was achieved in 49.6% of patients.Conclusions: The prescription pattern of antihypertensive drug was in accordance to the JNC-VIII guidelines. The blood pressure target was achieved only in less than 50% of patients.
Background: Rhizome of Curcuma longa has many therapeutic implications in traditional Indian medicine. It is used in traditional medicine for flatulence, dyspepsia, and other gastric problems. There is conflicting reports regarding its antiulcer and ulcerogenic potential. Aims and Objectives: The study is with the aim of determining the gastoprotective effect of C. longa extract on aspirin-induced gastric ulcer in rats. Materials and Methods: C. longa rhizomes were collected locally. Preparation of extract was done with 50% ethanol using Soxhlet extraction. Albino rats of Wistar strain were used for the study. Aspirin was purchased from Sigma Labs, Mumbai. Anti-ulcer effect of the extract was studied in rats after inducing mucosal damage by aspirin. Results: It was found that extract of C. longa exhibited significant protection against aspirin-induced ulcer at dose levels of 250-mg/kg, 500-mg/kg, and 1000 mg/kg body weight. There is a dose-dependent increase in the ulcer protective action of the extract. Conclusion: The present study with extract of C. longa revealed its anti-ulcer activity.
Objectives: The objectives of the study were to study the pattern of major drug groups prescribed, assess the Rational Prescription pattern by measuring the WHO Core Prescribing Indicators and to assess the quality of the prescriptions by assessing the legibility of prescription in the outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital.
Methods: It was an analytical cross-sectional study done in hospital pharmacy for a period of 6 months. Approval from Institutional Research Committee and Institutional Ethics Committee was taken before starting the study. Sample size was taken as 1020.
Results: One hundred and twenty prescriptions were analyzed. About 49% prescriptions were of males and 54% of females. Mean age of the patients were 46 years. A total of 3557 medicines were prescribed in 1020 prescriptions. Due to lack of legibility, we were unable to decode 122 medicines out of 3557 medicines prescribed. The dosage forms prescribed were; oral 87.4%, injections 1.4%, inhalational agents 0.4%, and topical agents 10.8%. Average number of medicines per prescription was 3.5. Percentage of medicines prescribed by generic name was 45%. Percentage of antibiotics per prescription was 24.8%. Percentage of injections per prescription was 4.8%. Percentage of medicines prescribed as per NATIONAL essential drugs list (EDL) was 3.2% and as per the WHO EDL was 2.6%. Percentage of fixed dose combinations (FDCs) was 6.5%.
Conclusion: It was evident that polypharmacy was present as indicated by the average number of medicines prescribed. Medicines prescribed by generic name and from Essential Medicine List were less in number. Antibiotics and injections prescribed was in conformity with the WHO recommended values, which means that there was no irrational use of antibiotics and unwanted use of injectables. Percentage of FDCs was 6.5%. Most commonly prescribed drug was Ranitidine as per our study. Hence, as per this study, prescribers did not follow prescribing core indicators of the WHO closely, except for two indicators. The quality of prescriptions with respect to legibility and clarity was found to be optimal.
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