Prescription pattern of cardiovascular drugs in intensive cardiac care unit patients in a tertiary care hospital

Background: Cardiovascular diseases (CVD) account for high morbidity and mortality all over the world. A study of prescription pattern ensures rational pharmacotherapy and assures quality medical care to the patients. The aim was to observe the prescribing pattern of cardiovascular drugs among the patients admitted to intensive cardiac care unit (ICCU).Methods: Prior permission from the Institutional Ethics Committee was obtained, and a prospective study of cardiovascular drugs was conducted on 100 consecutive patients admitted in ICCU of the Basaveshwar Teaching and General Hospital, Gulbarga. The duration of the study will be of 12 months from June 2012 to May 2013. The prescriptions of the patient who are treated during the course of the study will be audited prospectively using a specially designed form to record the required information. The data were statistically analyzed and presented as counts and percentages.Results: Majority of the patients were male (59%), and most of the patients belonged to age group of 51-60 years. Most common drug class was antianginal drugs with aspirin and clopidogrel being the mostly used combination drug. Most of the drugs were prescribed rationally.Conclusion: The present study concluded that most of the drugs were prescribed rationally according to current guidelines. In addition to prescribing drugs, patients should be educated about the risk factors of CVD and how they can be prevented

Analysis of adverse drug reactions of antimicrobial agents reported to ADR monitoring centre of a rural tertiary care teaching hospital

Background: ADRs are iatrogenic diseases, escalates the burden of health care system by increasing the morbidity and mortality and also additional cost of ADRs management to patients.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted over 1 year from January 2015 to December 2015. The yellow forms dropped in the red ADR boxes are collected and ADRs due to antimicrobials were analyzed for demographic data, causality, severity, drugs implicated, and organ system affected. The data were presented as counts and percentages.Results: Cephalosporins were the most common antimicrobial class implicated in ADRs, and the dermatological system was the most common system affected by ADRs. All the reactions either belonged to the probable or possible category. Majority of reactions were non-serious.Conclusions: Regular prescription auditing and awareness about polypharmacy will further reduce ADRs due to antimicrobials