ANTIPSYCHOTIC PRESCRIBING PATTERN IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL OF EASTERN INDIA

Background: Psychotropic drugs are commonly prescribed in psychiatric practice. , their utilization and consequences on real life effectiveness and safety in actual clinical practice need continuous study. Materials and Methods: A prospective cross sectional study was carried out for 3 months. All the patients using antipsychotic drugs, between 18-60 years of age, irrespective of sex, were included in the study. However, patients who were pregnant, lactating, unable to comply due to mental retardation, any systemic illness ,unconsciousness or drug addiction were excluded from the study. The prescribing pattern was analyzed by Using World Health Organization basic drug indicators. Results: Average number of drugs /prescription 1.07..atypical antipsychotics are prescribed more commonly than typical antipsychotic.among the atypical antipsychotics olanzapine is most commonly prescribed.monotherapy of antipsychotic is the commonly prescribed than trihexyphenidyl is the anticholinergic that prescribed regularly with typical antipsychotic for the prevension of extrapyramidal symptoms. Conclusion: Psychotic illness patients mainly advised monotherapy of antipsychotic drugs, mainly atypical antipsychotic drugs, and olanzapine is the most prescribed antipsychotic drugs. Trihexyphenidyl is the only antichoninergic drug co-prescribed with typical antipsychotic drugs to avoid extrapyramidal side effects. Keywords: Drug utilization study, psychotic illness, psychotropic drug