DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERN OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS IN A TERTIARY CARE TEACHING HOSPITAL IN DAVANGERE

Objective The study was carried out with the aim to understand the drug utilization pattern of antihypertensive drugs in the medicine wards of a tertiary care teaching hospital. The secondary objective of the study is to determine the average number of Anti-Hypertensive drugs per prescription, To assess the prescribing pattern of anti-hypertensive’s according to age(according to JNC guidelines).Category-wise distribution of drugs. A retro- prospective observational study was conducted at SSIMS & RC, Davangere, Karnataka for a period of six months Methodology Total of 100 patients were included in the study.The collected data include patient’s information’s on demography, drug therapy and length of hospital stay. Antihypertensive drug utilization was measured in terms of DDD/100 bed days. Results 52 males and 48 females were identified in the study. Calcium channel blockers were the most commonly prescribed drug class. Amlodipine was the most consumed drug in the wards (DDD/100 bed-days).The majority of the patients (32%) were in the age group of 60-69 years. Conclusion: The increased prescription of calcium channel blockers than diuretics shows that the prescribing pattern is in line with the recommendations of JNC VIII GUIDELINES (2014 Hypertension Guideline). Evaluation of utilization of anti-hypertensive agents and implementation of effective strategies can greatly aid in improving the quality use of anti-hypertensive agents