A study of drug utilization pattern in patients with hypertension in a tertiary care hospital

Namit Ray; Reuben P. Syiem; Julie B. Wahlang; Krishnamoorthi Raj

doi:10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20251059

Authors

Namit Ray Department of Pharmacology, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Reuben P. Syiem Drug Testing Laboratory, Pasteur, Institute, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Julie B. Wahlang Department of Pharmacology, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, Meghalaya, India
Krishnamoorthi Raj Department of Pharmacology, NEIGRIHMS, Shillong, Meghalaya, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20251059

Keywords:

Hypertension, Antihypertensive drugs, Prescription patterns, Monotherapy, Combination therapy

Abstract

Background: Hypertension, a leading global health concern, poses significant risks to vital organs such as the heart, brain, and kidneys. Effective management remains a challenge, especially in countries like India, where cardiovascular diseases are a major contributor to mortality. This study aimed to evaluate the drug utilization patterns of antihypertensive drugs and associated prescribing practices in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted from January to October 2023 in the Departments of Medicine and Cardiology. The study included patients diagnosed with hypertension aged 18 years or older. Data on prescribed antihypertensive drugs, including drug type, dosage and comorbidities, were collected and analyzed.

Results: A total of 230 prescriptions were analyzed, with 75.59% of patients receiving monotherapy. Amlodipine was the most commonly prescribed drug, used in 87.5% of monotherapy cases. Combination therapies were prescribed to 24.41% of patients, with the most common combinations being Amlodipine + Atenolol and Losartan + Hydrochlorothiazide + Amlodipine. Diabetes mellitus was the most frequent comorbidity observed, affecting 60 patients. A significant portion of prescriptions (59%) was written using brand names, and 41% were written using generic names.

Conclusion: Future research should focus on enhancing patient adherence, optimizing treatment regimens, and continuously monitoring prescribing patterns to improve hypertension management and reduce associated health burdens.

Metrics

Metrics Loading ...

References

Kalamdani AR, Bhandare B, Hemamalini MB, Krishna MV. A prospective study of prescribing pattern of antihypertensive drugs in tertiary care hospital, Bangalore. J Evol Med Dent Sci. 2014;2(52):10339-44. DOI: https://doi.org/10.14260/jemds/1778

Halemani SS, Narendranth S, Somashekhar HS, Reshma SR, Sagar JK, Ramachandra K. Prescriptive pattern of antihypertensives in tertiary care hospital using DU-90%. Int J Pharm Res Dev. 2012;4(1):107-13.

Mohd AH, Mateti UV, Konuru V, Parmar MY, Kunduru BR. A study on prescribing patterns of antihypertensives in geriatric patients. Perspect Clin Res. 2012;3(4):139-42. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/2229-3485.103595

Joshi M, Rao BS, Khan GM. Study of drug use in essential hypertension and their compliance. Kathmandu Univ J Sci Eng Technol. 2006;2(1):1-13. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3126/kuset.v2i1.64222

Lee PKF, Li RKL, Chan JCN, Chang S, Lee SC, Tomlinson B, Critchley JAJH. A prescription survey in a hospital hypertension outpatient clinic. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1997;44(6):577–82. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2125.1997.t01-1-00621.x

Al-Windi A. Detection and treatment of hypertension in general health-care practice: a patient-based study. J Hum Hypertens. 2005;19(10):775-86. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.jhh.1001902

Rimoy GH, Justin-Temu M, Nilay C. Prescribing patterns and cost of antihypertensive drugs in private hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. East Cent Afr J Pharm Sci. 2008;11(3):69-73. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4314/ecajps.v11i3.46285

Khurshid F, Aqil M, Alam MS, Kapur P, Pillai KK. Antihypertensive medication prescribing patterns in a university teaching hospital in South Delhi. Int J Pharm Sci Res. 2012;3(7):2057-63.

Janagan T, Kavitha R, Sridevi SA, Veerendra V. Prescription pattern of antihypertensive drugs used in hypertensive patients with associated type 2 diabetes mellitus in a tertiary care hospital. Int J Pharm Res Rev. 2014;3(1):1-5.

Bhardwaj A, Alam N, Dabas V, Tiwari R, Sharma S. To evaluate the drug utilization pattern in patients using antihypertensive drug therapy. Asian J Biochem Pharm Res. 2012;2(1):425-33.

Pai PG, Shenoy J, Sanji N. Prescribing patterns of antihypertensive drugs in a South Indian tertiary care hospital. Drug Invention Today. 2011;3(4):38-40.

Etuk E, Isezuo SA, Chika A, Akuche J, Ali M. Prescription pattern of anti- hypertensive drugs in a tertiary health institution in Nigeria. Annals of African Med. 2008;7(3):128-32. DOI: https://doi.org/10.4103/1596-3519.55665

Maduram A, Harikrishna. Prescription pattern of antihypertensive drugs in Shri Sathya Sai medical college & research institute. Int J Basic Med Sci. 2013;4(2):68-72.

John LJ, Devi P, Guido S. Utilization of antihypertensive medications among the critically ill patients. RJPBCS. 2012;3(3):650-4.

Kousalya K, Chirumamilla S, Manjunath S, Ramalakshmi S, Saranya P, Chamundeeswari D. Prescribing trend of antihypertensive drugs in hypertensive and diabetic hypertensive patients. Asian J Pharm Clin Res. 2012;5(4):22-3.

Quick JD, Hogerzeil HV, Velasquez G, Rago L. Twenty-five years of essential medicines. Bull World Health Organ. 2002;80(11):913-4.