Publications

Abstract : Aim: To study the drug utilization pattern of NSAIDs in the orthopaedic department (OPD) of a tertiary care teaching hospital. Methods and materials: The study was conducted in 65 patients under all age group. A standard data collection form was designed for data collection which includes details like commonly prescribed NSAIDs, dosage, concomitant medications etc. The data was collected through hospital information system. Results: About 36.9% of the patients came to OPD with a diagnosis of leg pain. Out of 65 prescriptions only 89% prescriptions containing the gastroprotective agents in which histamine blockers (H2) namely Ranitidine(51.72%) were more prescribed than proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like Pantoprazole(41.38%) and Rabeprazole (6.9%). The NSAIDs commonly prescribed was Etoricoxib (33.34%). 56.9% of prescriptions were in brand names.79.7% of NSAIDs were prescribed as monotherapy and 11.1% were in the form of Fixed Drug Combinations (FDC).The average number of drugs per prescription was 3.9. Vitamin supplements (23.08%) and Calcium salts (53.85%) were the most commonly prescribed medications other than NSAIDs. Conclusion: Etoricoxib was most commonly used NSAIDs in the OPD, almost all of the NSAIDs were prescribed as monotherapy in brand name. From our study the drug utilization pattern in our institute seems to be rational even though there were some exceptional. © 2018, Pharmainfo Publications. All rights reserved.