Abstract

DRUG UTILIZATION STUDY OF ANTIGLAUCOMA DRUGS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL, BAREILLY

Quazi Shahir Ahmed*, Kauser Sayedda, Akhil Agarwal, NA Ansari

Abstract

Prescription pattern analysis or drug utilization studies are important as they promote rational use of drugs. The present study was carried out at Ophthalmology Deptt of this Institute with the aim to study the drug prescribing patterns for Glaucoma, a treatable nonreversible disease of eye. It was an open labeled, observational, prospective study. Total 170 patients were included during the study period of 6 months. Data were analyzed for demographic details & prescriptions pattern. Out of 170 prescriptions, 126 (74.11%) were of open angle glaucoma & 44 were of narrow angle glaucoma(25.88%). Out of 126 prescriptions, 116 received drug therapy & rest were advised for surgery. Monotherapy was given to 63 (54.31%) patients, while others 53 (45.68%) were on combination therapy. The most commonly used group of drugs was prostaglandin analogs(PGA), which constituted 75.86% of all prescriptions followed by β blockers(55.17%). Bimatoprost(64.51%) & timolol (53.12%) were most commonly prescribed drugs among PGAs & β blockers respectively. Brimonidine, dorzolamide, brinzolamide were other drugs added as adjuvants. In combination therapy, 2 or 3 drugs were given either as fixed dose combination(FDCs) or as concurrent medication. FDCs constituted 34.48% of total prescriptions ,may be because they are rational, convenient & cost effective. Most common FDC used was timolol 0.5% + bimatoprost 0.03%. Drugs were prescribed by brand names only that is a matter of concern. Prescribing by generic name should be encouraged.

Keywords: Prescription pattern, antiglaucoma drugs, Prostaglandin analogs, ? blockers, Fixed Dose Combination.