Prescribing pattern in patients of asthma visiting outpatient departments of a tertiary care hospital: a cross-sectional, observational study

Background: Objective of the study was to evaluate the prescribing pattern in patients of asthma visiting outpatient departments.Methods: Collected prescriptions were analyzed for demographic variables, proportions of various comorbid conditions, average number of drugs per prescription, average number of anti-asthmatic drugs per prescription, proportion of prescription with antibiotics, fixed dose combinations, and generic/brand names, proportion of formulations utilized, proportion of concomitant medications and possible drug interactions, average cost per prescription, average cost of antiasthmatic drugs per prescription, proportion of irrational prescription and adverse drug reactions.Results: Total 139 prescriptions were evaluated. Deriphyllin was the most commonly prescribed anti-asthmatic drug followed by beta agonist- steroid combination. Majority drugs were prescribed by inhalational route. Deriphyllin, and dexamethasone were prescribed by oral route and salbutamol was by both oral and inhalational route of administration. Antibiotics were prescribed to 24 patients. Possible drug interaction with deriphyllin was found in 15 prescriptions. Average cost per prescription was Rs. 193.4 (95%CI: 171.6-215.3).Conclusions: Prescribing pattern of asthma in our hospital shows more use of anti-asthmatic drugs. Standard treatment guideline should be followed. Role of methylxanthine in long term management of asthma should be justified