Drug utilization study of antipsychotics among schizophrenia patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital: a retrospective observational study

Background: Aim of the study was to evaluate the drug utilization pattern of antipsychotics in schizophrenia patients in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: A retrospective observational study was conducted over a period of one year. Demographic data and drug utilization pattern of antipsychotics was collected from the surveyed prescriptions. Using WHO prescribing indicators data was analysed. Results were expressed in percentage.Results: Out of 300 prescriptions analysed, males were 58% and females 42%. Majority of schizophrenia patients were in age group of 15 to 45 years 70.33%. Olanzapine 75% was most common antipsychotic drug prescribed followed by risperidone 10.7%. Haloperidol 9.6%, fluphenazine 3.7% and chlorpromazine 1% were the other antipsychotics prescribed. Atypical antipsychotics 85.7% were commonly prescribed than conventional ones 4.3%. Concomitant drugs prescribed were anticholinergics, antihistaminics, sedative-hypnotics, antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antiulcer drugs and vitamin B complexes. Average number of drugs prescribed per prescription 3.26.Conclusions: Nowadays atypical antipsychotics are preferred over conventional ones because of their less side effects. Drug utilization study helps in rational usage of drugs important for patient care