Carcinoma is one of the most common cause of morbidity and mortality all over the world. Chemotherapy is main stay of treatment with other modalities in the management. Present study had been conducted to evaluate prescribing pattern of anticancer drugs. An observational, retrospective study was conducted in the oncology department of ESI hospital over a period of one year. Data of patients greater than 19 years and diagnosed as carcinoma were included in the study. Out of 197 enrolled patients, majority were female (134, 68%) and in the age group of 41-60 years (147, 74.61% patients). Carcinoma of breast (58, 29.44%) was most commonly reported followed by carcinoma head and neck (46, 23.35%), and carcinoma cervix (34, 17.25%). Chemotherapy was commonly used as combination regimens (160, 81.21%). 5-Fluoro Uracil (5-FU) and platinum based combination were most frequently prescribed (60, 30.45%) especially in head and neck carcinoma (46, 23.35%). Platinum based combinations were also used in management of lung carcinoma. Dexamethasone, Ranitidine, Ondansetron, were used as palliative therapy either to prevent or manage adverse reactions of anticancer drugs.

Background: Self-medication is one of the components of self-care, which may treat the disease or result in worsening of the condition due to irrational use of drug.1 In developing countries like India, self-medication is a common practice as it provides a low-cost alternative for people who cannot afford the high cost of clinical service, and is time efficient.Methods: A total of 110 participants completed the study. A printed questionnaire was given to those who were willing to participate in the study and came to buy medicines without consulting a doctor to various pharmacy outlets.Results: Among the group of drugs used antibiotics were the common drugs used in rural area (74%) and cough suppressants (50%) in urban area. Symptoms for opting self-medication were fever and common cold in both the groups. Individuals in both areas took self-medication based on their previous prescriptions (rural 42% vs urban41.6%) and advertisements. Rural individuals preferred self-medication with the opinion of saving time and urban people felt that it was less expensive.Conclusions: There is a difference in the pattern self-medication among rural and urban individuals. It is also to be noted that use of antibiotics may result in problems related to drug resistance. So, it would be advisable to restrict the sale of antibiotics as over the counter drugs.

Background: Hypertensive disorders represent the most common medical complication of pregnancy, with a reported incidence of 6-10% and accounts for 15% of maternal mortality. Effective management of pregnancy induced hypertension is vital to improve maternal and foetal outcomes. As data are scarce on comparison of labetolol and methyldopa this study was undertaken. The objective of present study is compare the efficacy and safety of Labetalol versus Methyldopa in the management of Mild to Moderate pregnancy induced hypertension. To evaluate effect of both drugs on maternal and foetal outcomes.Methods: A comparative observational study is designed. 30 patients who received methyldopa and 30 patients who received labetalol were included in the study. Methyldopa was started at a dose of 250-500 mg thrice daily while labetalol was started at a dose of 100-400 mg twice daily. Patients were followed up during antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum period for efficacy, safety, maternal, and perinatal outcomes.Results: Methyldopa and Labetalol reduced mean systolic and mean diastolic blood pressures significantly. safety profile of both drugs was similar. Spontaneous vaginal deliveries were observed more with labetolol significantly.Conclusions: Labetalol is equally efficacious as methyldopa and well tolerated in the treatment of new onset hypertension during pregnancy.

Background: Hypertensive disorders represent the most common medical complication of pregnancy, with a reported incidence of 6-10% and accounts for 15% of maternal mortality. Effective management of pregnancy induced hypertension is vital to improve maternal and foetal outcomes. As data are scarce on comparison of labetolol and methyldopa this study was undertaken. The objectives of the study were to evaluate effect of both drugs on fetal outcomes.Methods: A comparative observational Study is designed. 30 patients who received Methyldopa and 30 patients who received Labetolol were included in the study. Methyldopa was started at a dose of 250-500mg thrice daily while Labetolol was started at a dose of 100-400mg twice daily. Patients were followed up during antenatal, intrapartum and postpartum period for perinatal outcomes.Results: Intra Uterine Growth Retarded (IUGR) babies were 10% in Methyldopa group and 6.66% in Labetolol group. 20% of new borns in Methyldopa group and 10% of new borns in Labetolol group got admitted in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) because of distress. 13.3% of new borns in Methyldopa group are small for gestational age(SGA), whereas only 3.33% in Labetolol group are small for gestational age.Conclusions: Chances of development of IUGR, NICU admissions of neonates with respiratory distress syndrome and small for gestational age babies were more with methyldopa compared to Labetolol, but there was no statistically significant difference between two drugs.