An observational study on the prescription pattern of antihypertensive drugs in a private health care centre, Chennai

Background: Hypertension is a public health problem worldwide. Elevated systolic blood pressure ≥140 mm Hg or diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg are defined as Hypertension. The choice of an antihypertensive drug is based on its efficacy, side-effects, effects on other systems and cost. The objective of this study is to evaluate the prescription pattern of antihypertensive drugs in a private health care centre.Methods: A retrospective observational study was carried out in the out-patient department of a private health care centre, Chennai from November 2018 to December 2018.Results: In the present study, 104 prescriptions were selected based on the inclusion criteria. In which 62 (59.61%) were males and 42 (40.38%) were females. Prescriptions belonging to age group of <40 years were 11 (10.57%), 40–59 years were 48 (46.15%) and >60 years were 45 (43.26%). Monotherapy was received by 62 hypertensive patients and as combination therapy by 42 patients.Conclusions: Even though the prescription pattern of antihypertensive drugs in this study complied with the recommended guidelines, clinicians should always be vigilant and consider change of regimen whenever necessary

A STUDY ON CUTANEOUS ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS REPORTED IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL, KANCHIPURAM

Objective: The objective of the study was to study the pattern of various types of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (CADRs) and its relation to therapeutic agents. Methods: A retrospective study was carried out in the Department of Pharmacology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital and Research Institute. Pharmacovigilance reports collected from 2017 to 2019 which were probable and certain by the WHO causality assessment were included in the study. Descriptive statistics were used. Values were expressed in numbers and percentage. Results: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) of 40 patients were selected based on the inclusion criteria, of which 22 were female (55%) and 18 males (45%). Patients aged <50 years had more incidence (77.5%) of ADRs. Cutaneous manifestations contributed to major ADRs (67.5%). CADRs were more common with antibiotics (55.5%) followed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (14.6%). Conclusion: The most common therapeutic agent of CADRs were antibiotics (fluoroquinolones and cephalosporins) and the frequent cutaneous manifestation was urticaria