Abstract

STUDY ON DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE AGENTS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

*Georgy M. Varghese, Md. Imran, Pavan Gara, Cyril Tom, Suresh V. and Basavaraj K. Nanjwade

ABSTRACT

Hypertension is one of the causes of death in world. It also leads to morbidity and negatively affects the quality of life. It is therefore important to ensure proper utilization of drugs in the treatment of hypertension to reduce mortality and morbidity of that affected. Elevated blood pressure is said to be present above 140/90 mmHg. A prospective study was carried out for duration of six months. 118 cases were included based on inclusion and exclusion criteria, to assess the utilization of antihypertensive agents in a tertiary care hospital. In this study, 118 cases involving patients undergoing antihypertensive therapy were encountered. Most of the patients were between 51-60 years (40.17%) and 61-70 years (35.04%). The most utilized anti- hypertensive in all case study were calcium channel blockers which were utilized in 50.84% of total cases, Angiotensin receptor blockers 35.59%, diuretics 27.96% and beta blockers 18.64%. These are all first line drugs for hypertension treatment. In combination therapy, combination of Calcium Channel Blocker + Angiotensin Receptor Blocker was the most utilized among 2 drug combinations (11.86% of total cases), whereas in 3 drug combinations, calcium channel blocker + angiotensin receptor blocker + diuretic (7.62%). In all cases with diabetes or myocardial infarction or heart failure as compelling indications, patients were given at least 1 recommended drug. However the drug utilization pattern generally followed the recommended guidelines as first line drugs were used in all monotherapy cases and in almost all 2 drug and 3 drug and 4 drug combination therapy cases. More attention should be paid to treatment of hypertension with compelling indications and treatment of hypertension cases based on stage of hypertension.

Keywords: Drug utilization, anti-hypertensive therapy, choice of prescribing.