STUDY OF FIXED DOSE COMBINATIONS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

ABSTRACTObjective: To study and analyze the pattern of fixed dose combinations (FDCs) in medicine outpatient clinic.Methods: The study is prospective cross-sectional study was conducted for 2 months in medicine outpatient clinic in tertiary care hospital. Aftertaking approval from Institutional Ethics Committee, the data were collected on every working day of the hospital. Prescriptions from the patientscoming to medicine outpatient clinic outpatient department were taken and required information is filled in data record form.Results: A total of 83 prescriptions were included in the study. Out of 287 drugs, 111, i.e., 39.92% were fixed dose formulations. As per drug categoryanalysis, nutritional supplements were used (47.74%). While 27.02% and 9.03% of FDCs were given for cardiovascular complains and respiratorycomplains, respectively. FDCs used for other conditions were 16.21%. About 29.72% of total FDCs are included in approved list of FDCs by DrugsController General of India (DCGI), November 2014.Conclusion: 39.92% drugs are FDCs out of total prescribed drugs. Nutritional supplements are prescribed in higher concentrations. Out of total FDCsonly 29.72% were included in DCGI approved list of FDCs and only four FDCs are found in the WHO list of essential drugs.Keywords: Fixed dose combinations, Prescriptions, Approved, Drugs Controller General of India

A study of prescribing pattern of drugs in patients of cardiovascular emergencies at a tertiary care hospital of Western Maharashtra

Background: The main objective of drug utilization research is to assess the rationality of drug use. Recently it has been found that cardiovascular disease is the most frequent cause of morbidity and mortality throughout the world. The objective of present study was to focus on the trends in prescribing patterns of most frequently treated cardiovascular emergencies.Methods: A retrospective descriptive study was carried out in cardiovascular emergency patients. From the medical records the following data was collected:  Distribution of cardiovascular emergencies (age and sex wise), most common cardiovascular emergencies treated, outcome of each patient, average duration of stay in the hospital and drugs prescribed per patient,  correlation of clinical outcome with treatment if possible, drug utilization trend in cardiovascular emergencies. From the data, master chart was prepared for data analysis.Results: Total 82 patients case records were studied. Myocardial infarction (50%) was the most common cardiovascular emergency treated during study period followed by unstable angina (36.58%).  Male to female ratio was 1.83. Average hospital stay was found 5.75 days. The average number of drugs per patient was 8.4.  Hypertension (42.24%) and diabetes mellitus (19.51%) were the most common comorbidities found associated with cardiovascular emergencies. Aspirin clopidogrel combination (80.49%), enoxaparin (75.61%), atorvastatin (73.17%), glyceryl trinitrate (73.17%) were the most commonly prescribed drugs. The utilization rate of ACE inhibitors and ARBs (56.10%) was found higher than that of beta blockers (28.05%). Stool softeners (52.46%) and anxiolytics (28.58%) were the most commonly used non-cardiovascular drugs. Improvement was seen in 82.93% patients.Conclusions: Protocol of management strategy of cardiovascular emergencies in our tertiary care hospital was found near to standard recommended guidelines. Keywords:

ANTIMICROBIAL UTILIZATION PATTERN OF URINARY TRACT INFECTION IN TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Objective: To study and analyze the pattern of antimicrobial utilization in urinary tract infection (UTI).Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted in tertiary care hospital for 6 months including both male and female patients of all agegroups. Case sheets diagnosed with UTI based on ICD-10 disease coding were collected from medical records department. The demographic dataand prescription pattern of each case sheet were evaluated in detail. Drug utilization pattern was compared among different age groups of patients.Results: A total of 108 patients were included in the study, out of which 44.4% were males, and 55.6% were females. Most of the patients were in40-60 years age group (40.7%). UTI confirmed by culture in 59.26% patients; in which Escherichia coli was isolated in 35.9% patients followedby Klebsiella species (14.06%) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (7.8%). Cephalosporins (70.37%) were most commonly used antibiotic followed byfluoroquinolones (38.89%), penicillins (29.63%), azithromycin (17.59%), and aminoglycosides (15.74%). Among the cephalosporins, third generationparenteral was most commonly used. In penicillins, amoxicillin + clavulanic acid combination was used in 9 patients. Amikacin was most commonlyused aminoglycoside followed by gentamicin. Mean duration of treatment was 6.28±3.02 days.Conclusion: Third generation cephalosporins (ceftriaxone and cefixime) were used as first line drug in most of the cases irrespective of the causativeorganism. This group should be reserved for complicated UTIs.Keywords: Urinary tract infections, Escherichia coli, Cephalosporins, Fluoroquinolones

Antinociceptive Effect of Ondansetron in Albino Mice Using Acetic Acid Induced Writhing Model

Background: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience. Pain is a protective mechanism. Pain occurs whenever any tissues are being damaged, and it causes the individual to react and to remove the pain stimulus. Aim and Objectives: To evaluate the antinociceptive effect of ondansetron in comparison with the standard diclofenac. Material and Methods: The antinociceptive effect was tested by using the acetic acid induced writhing model in Swiss Albino mice. Animals were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals each. Animals were received distilled water (control), diclofenac (standard), ondansetron 0.5mg/kg (test I) and ondansetron 1mg/kg (test II). After 30 minutes of drug administration, 0.1 ml of 1% acetic acid was injected. Mice were placed individually into glass beakers and five minutes were allowed to elapse. They were then observed for a period of ten minutes and the numbers of writhes were recorded in each animal. The results were expressed as mean ± SEM. One way ANOVA with post-test was used for statistical calculation. Results: The numbers of writhes were 1.33±0.494 for diclofenac; 6.33±1.872 and 9.33±1.706 for ondansetron 0.5 and 1mg/kg respectively. Conclusion: Ondansetron demonstrated statistical significant antinociceptive activity at both doses (0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg) and statistically similar effect as diclofena

An evaluation of analgesic activity of leaf and stem bark extracts of ficus religiosa in wistar rats

Introduction: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential damage. Non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) & Opioids are wide analgesics, but because of adverse effects, their use is limited. Ficus Religiosa is a traditional medicinal plant, its various parts have been used in treating some conditions. Aims & Objective: To evaluate the analgesic activity of methanolic extract of leaves and stem bark of Ficus Religiosa at different doses. Materials & Methodology: This study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology. Two doses of methanolic extract of leaves (100 & 200 mg/kg) and stem bark (125 & 250 mg/kg) of ficus religiosa were used. Wistar rats were used to evaluate analgesic activity and it was evaluated by using analgesiometer by tail flick method. Phytochemical screening of both the extracts were also done. Results: Both the extracts at their respective doses showed significant analgesic activity as compared with the control group, whereas it was not comparable with the standard drug ibuprofen (40 mg/kg p.o). Conclusion: Therefore, we conclude that both the extracts of ficus religiosa were showing analgesic activity. But this analgesic activity is not comparable with the standard drug Ibuprofen

An Evaluation of Analgesic Activity of Leaf and Stem Bark Extracts of Ficus Religiosa in Wistar Rats

Introduction: Pain is an unpleasant sensory and emotional experience associated with actual or potential damage. Non- steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) & Opioids are wide analgesics, but because of adverse effects, their use is limited. Ficus Religiosa is a traditional medicinal plant, its various parts have been used in treating some conditions. Aims & Objective: To evaluate the analgesic activity of methanolic extract of leaves and stem bark of Ficus Religiosa at different doses. Materials & Methodology: This study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology. Two doses of methanolic extract of leaves (100 & 200 mg/kg) and stem bark (125 & 250 mg/kg) of ficus religiosa were used. Wistar rats were used to evaluate analgesic activity and it was evaluated by using analgesiometer by tail flick method. Phytochemical screening of both the extracts were also done. Results: Both the extracts at their respective doses showed significant analgesic activity as compared with the control group, whereas it was not comparable with the standard drug ibuprofen (40 mg/kg p.o). Conclusion: Therefore, we conclude that both the extracts of ficus religiosa were showing analgesic activity. But this analgesic activity is not comparable with the standard drug Ibuprofen