Abstract

A STUDY ON MEDICATION THERAPY IN PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Shilpa S. Pavizhen*, B. Shanker Reddy and Dr. Gopaldas C. M.

Abstract

Background: The expanding field of psycho-pharmacology is constantly seeking new and improved drugs to treat psychiatric disorders. The study was thus designed to analyze the prescription pattern of psychotropic drugs and their adherence in patients in a tertiary care hospital. Materials and Methods: A six month based prospective observational study included hospital out-patients treated in psychiatric department of Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga. A total of 77 patients were enrolled in the study. 31.23% patients belong to the age group of 30-39 years was found to be represented with maximum psychiatric disorders. Male patients are more in number. Schizophrenia was found to be the most common psychiatric disorder encountered (29.62%) followed by Depression (14.81%) and Bipolar affective disorder (14.81%). Out of 220 drugs prescribed, 72drugs are antipsychotics, 51 antidepressants and 34 anxiolytics. The medication adherence assessment showed poor adherence in BPAD and schizophrenic patients. Conclusion: This study provides baseline strength of carrying out further studies on prescribing pattern and medication adherence in a tertiary care unit, which would help for improving the utilization of psychotropic drugs in mental health facilities.

Keywords: Psychiatric disorder, Psychotropic drugs, Medication Adherence, Prescribing pattern.