Evaluation of self medication practices in common illness among non health care professionals in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Many studies have investigated the prevalence of self medication practices. World health organization promotes the practice of self medication for relief of symptoms without medical consultation to reduce the burden on health care services. Majority of the individuals in developing country like India have poor knowledge about appropriate use of self mediction, but still they practice taking it without knowing the benefits and risk factors.Methods: The present study was a cross sectional study aimed to gather information about prevalence of self medication in common illness among non health care professionals in a tertiary care hospital. The sample size comprised of 215 participants. Data was collected through an open ended semi structured questionnaire. All the descriptive data was coded, entered in micro soft excel and analysed with frequencies and proportions.Results: The prevelance of self medication was found to be 96%. Near about 30% of participants got information from pharmacist regarding self medication. 27% participants followed allopathy medicine.16% participants used becosules and mucaine gel for mouth and throat ulcers.26% participants used D-cold total for cough and cold.15% participants used dolo 650mg for fever and headache.41.7% participants used ciprofloxacin for ear and eye infections.26.6% participants used gelusil for GI infection .25.7% participants used calamine lotion for skin infections and 48% participants used turmeric for other minor ailments as self medication medicines.Conclusions: As the prevalence of self medication is high among educated participants. The present study suggest the growing trend of self medication has to be prevented by applying strong policies and prohibiting the supply of medicines without a valid prescription

Study of role of vitamin C in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is the most common non-communicable diseases in the present millennium which has become a global public health problem. The treatment of type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2 DM) often is initiated with monotherapy of oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs), which often do not decrease the plasma sugar levels effectively and consistently that will reduce short term and long-term complications associated with T2 DM. Hence the current study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of vitamin C supplementation with standard OADs on glycemic control.Methods: This study consisted of 120 T2 DM patients with 80 males and 40 females with a mean age of 50.88 yrs were divided into four groups with equal number of males and females in each group depending upon the OADs they received in solo or with vitamin C for 12 weeks. After the written consent, a detail clinical history, clinical examination, biochemical investigations including fasting plasma sugar (FPS), post prandial plasma sugar (PPS), glycosylated hemoglobin (HBA1c), serum creatinine, serum electrolytes, chest X-ray PA view and standard ECG were done. Repeat FPS, PPS and HBA1c were done after 4, 8 and 12 weeks of study.Results: After 12 weeks of study FBS, PPS and HBA1c decreased significantly (p<0.01) in study groups (Metformin and teneligliptin with vitamin C) as compared to control groups (OADs without vitamin C). Vitamin C supplementation with OADs found to be effective, well tolerated and devoid of any side effects.Conclusions: OADs are effective and affordable hypoglycemic agents with vitamin C supplementation

Study of lipid lowering effects of oral antidiabetic drugs in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common non-communicable diseases associated with ‘atherogenic dyslipidemia’ The treatment of T2DM often is initiated with oral antidiabetic drugs, most of which not only decrease blood sugar levels effectively but also decrease the lipid levels. Hence the current study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of oral hypoglycemic agents in dealing with associated dyslipidemia.Methods: 150 T2DM patients were divided equally into five groups depending upon the oral antidiabetic drugs they received in solo or in combination for 24 weeks, with equal number of males and females in each group. After the written consent, a detail clinical history, clinical examination, Biochemical investigations including, glycosylated haemoglobin and lipid profile, chest X-ray and ECG were done.Results: After 24 weeks of study, the mean total cholesterol and mean triglycerides decreased significantly (p <0.05 to p <0.01) with monotherapy of metformin and teneligliptin as well as with combination of either metformin and glimepiride or metformin and teneligliptin. The decrease of LDL-C and VLDL-C was not statistically significant with any of the OAD drugs in solo or in combination. Similarly, HDL-C increased significantly (p <0.05) in Group I, III, IV and V; but was most effective with combination therapy. The atherogenic index of plasma also decreased (p <0.05) with metformin or its combination with either teneligliptin or glimepiride.Conclusions: Oral antidiabetic drugs are not only affordable and effective hypoglycemic agents but can also decrease serum lipids and thereby aids in the prevention and management of atherosclerosis and its complications in T2DM

Screening of newly synthesized benzofuran [3-2, d] pyrimidine derivatives for anti inflammatory activity

Background: Most of the non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are not equally effective in all inflammatory conditions especially in chronic conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis and ankylosing spondylitis. Hence there is a need for newer and safer non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs directed against cell adhesion molecules are being studied. Objective: Evaluation of Newly Synthesized Benzofuran [3-2, d] Pyrimidine Derivatives for Anti Inflammatory Activity Methods: In the present study some of the newer synthetic compounds like fused benzofuran derivatives, were screened primarily for their anti-inflammatory activity. The results obtained with the newer synthetic compounds were compared with that of standard drug Diclofenac sodium. Results: Leukotrienes thus contribute towards leukocyte emigration. Since the compounds under study were shown to suppress emigration they might be acting by decreasing leukotrienes also. Depending upon these findings the mechanism by which C3 and C1 were acting as anti-inflammatory agents might be summarized as by inhibiting PG release, by inhibiting production of leukotrienes and by suppressing emigration of leucocytes. Conclusion: The efficacy of C3 as anti-inflammatory agent seems to be almost similar to that of diclofenac sodium

Comparative study of Griseofulvin versus Terbinafine in treatment of Tinea Corporis patients

Background: Dermatophytosis is a superficial infection of keratinized tissue. It is the most common type of cutaneous fungal infection seen in human beings affecting skin, hair and nails. Tinea corporis is one of the most common clinical forms of dermatophytosis. Objective: To compare two oral antifungal drugs, Griseofulvin and Terbinafine in the treatment of Tinea corporis Methods: This is an open-label, randomized, parallel, comparative study which was carried out in 100. Patients with tinea corporis infection who attended the outpatient Department of Dermatology, Dr. PSIMS & RF, Chinaoutpalli, Krishna (Dist), between October 2009 and Aug 2011. This study was approved by the institutional Ethical Committee of Dr. PSIMS & RF. Written consent was taken from all the patients enrolled in the study. Results: tinea corporis in the present study was more common between 18-45 yrs of age group and it is more common in females. In the Griseofulvin group, I patient showed no clinical improvement, 13 showed partial improvement and 32 patients (69.57%) were completely cured. In the Terbinafine group, 5 patients showed partial improvement and 43 patients (89.58%) were completely cured by the end of 4th week. Conclusion: Terbinafine 250 mg tablet taken once daily for 2 weeks is more effective in complete cure (both clinical and mycological cure) and showed an early clinical response in treatment of tinea corporis compared to Griseofulvin 250 mg tablet taken twice daily for 4 weeks. There was no significant difference between the two drugs regarding tolerability

Study of lipid lowering effects of oral antidiabetic drugs in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is one of the most common non-communicable diseases associated with ‘atherogenic dyslipidemia’ The treatment of T2DM often is initiated with oral antidiabetic drugs, most of which not only decrease blood sugar levels effectively but also decrease the lipid levels. Hence the current study is aimed to determine the effectiveness of oral hypoglycemic agents in dealing with associated dyslipidemia.Methods: 150 T2DM patients were divided equally into five groups depending upon the oral antidiabetic drugs they received in solo or in combination for 24 weeks, with equal number of males and females in each group. After the written consent, a detail clinical history, clinical examination, Biochemical investigations including, glycosylated haemoglobin and lipid profile, chest X-ray and ECG were done.Results: After 24 weeks of study, the mean total cholesterol and mean triglycerides decreased significantly (p &lt;0.05 to p &lt;0.01) with monotherapy of metformin and teneligliptin as well as with combination of either metformin and glimepiride or metformin and teneligliptin. The decrease of LDL-C and VLDL-C was not statistically significant with any of the OAD drugs in solo or in combination. Similarly, HDL-C increased significantly (p &lt;0.05) in Group I, III, IV and V; but was most effective with combination therapy. The atherogenic index of plasma also decreased (p &lt;0.05) with metformin or its combination with either teneligliptin or glimepiride.Conclusions: Oral antidiabetic drugs are not only affordable and effective hypoglycemic agents but can also decrease serum lipids and thereby aids in the prevention and management of atherosclerosis and its complications in T2DM