Abstract

DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN OF PSYCHOTROPIC DRUGS IN PSYCHIATRY OUTPATIENT DEPARTMENT

Dr. Manasi Thalakkat Muralidharan*, Dr. R. Aiswarya Krishnan, Dr. Devi Manoj, Dr. Jeffin James, Meppil Baby and Dr. Beena P.

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Abstract

Psychotropic drugs have had a remarkable impact in psychiatric practice. The development of newer drugs like SSRIs and atypical antipsychotics have drastically changed the drug therapy protocols. However, their utilization in actual clinical practice, effectiveness and safety in real life situation need continuous study. This study aims to assess the drug utilization pattern of psychotropic drugs in psychiatry outpatient department using WHO prescribing indicators.[1] A cross-sectional study was conducted for over a period of six months in psychiatry OPD of a tertiary care hospital. A total of 200 patients satisfying the inclusion criteria were analyzed to study the drug utilization pattern of psychotropic drugs in psychiatry OPD. Data analysis was conducted by using descriptive statistics, chi-square test, and z-test. Analysis of 200 patients showed equal gender distribution, with the majority aged 31-40. Anxiety (34%), depression (27%), and psychosis (17%) accounted for 78% of disorders. Average drugs per prescription: 2.435. Only 0.5% of drugs were generic. 47.7% were from essential drug lists. No antibiotics or injections were prescribed. Common drugs: escitalopram (68.83%), olanzapine (44.1%), desvenlafaxine (34.8%), risperidone (32.8%), trihexyphenidyl (28.5%), and quetiapine (25.7%). Least common: sertraline (0.9%), vortioxetine (1.51%), venlafaxine (1.51%), dosulepin (1.51%), and aripiprazole(1.42%).The study offers Insight into psychotropic drug utilization patterns, aiming to evaluate their prescription trends. Analysis of 200 prescriptions using WHO indicators revealed escitalopram, olanzapine, desvenlafaxine, risperidone, trihexyphenidyl, and quetiapine as frequently prescribed for anxiety, depression, and psychosis.

Keywords: Drug utilization, psychotropic drugs, WHO prescribing indicators.