Abstract

AN OBSERVATIONAL PROSPECTIVE STUDY OF PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF ANALGESICS AMONG IN-PATIENT IN AN ORTHOPAEDIC DEPARTMENT IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Dr. Upendra N.*, Prof. J.S. Venkatesh, Febina Daniel Kunjumon, Harilakshmi S., Jeni Raju and Jinsu Thomas

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Abstract

Analgesics including nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are commonly prescribed group of drugs in clinical practice for the management of pain and inflammation. The objective of the study is to find out the percentage of analgesics prescribed and most commonly prescribed analgesics. Data were daily collected from patients of both genders who were admitted to the orthopedic in-patient department and who were prescribed NSAIDs during the study period. The data was collected from the patient's medical records. Prescriptions containing NSAIDs are documented in an ethically approved and specialized drug utilization proforma. Out of 163 patients, 112 were males and 51 were females. The results revealed most patients were in the age group of 20-30 years followed by 41-50 years. Analgesics used in the study population were identified and categorized. Out of 163 patients, the majority of the prescription share was for Aceclofenac 163[46.4%] followed by Diclofenac 145[41.3%], Tramadol 28[7.9%], and Ibuprofen 15[4.2%]. Proton pump inhibitors [15.1%] were the most frequently prescribed gastroprotective agents. Of the total 228 prescribed antibiotics, ceftriaxone was the most commonly prescribed Antibiotic 163[71.4%] followed by Amikacin 60[26.3%] and Ciprofloxacin 5 [2.1%]. Types of drug formulation used were oral [46.4%], intramuscular [41.3%], and intravenous [12.2%] preparations. Analgesics, especially NSAIDs were the most commonly prescribed medicine in the orthopedic in-patient department followed by gastroprotective agents. The majority of the drugs are given by oral route.

Keywords: Prescription pattern, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cyclooxygenase enzyme, Orthopedics, Analgesics.