A prospective research study of anti-glaucoma drugs prescribing, utilization pattern and adverse drug reaction recording in a university hospital.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out to evaluate the drug prescribing, utilization pattern and adverse drug reactions recording associated with drugs prescribed to glaucoma patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 50 glaucoma patients were included in the study, based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. All the observations were recorded in drug utilization and ADR recording documentation form. RESULTS: Out of 50 patients suffering from glaucoma, 38 patients (76%) were diagnosed open angle glaucoma, 4 patients (8%) closed angle glaucoma and 8 patients (16%) post-operative respectively. There were 19 patients (38%) males and 31 patients (62%) were females. The age range between 41-50 years had the maximum number of patients 15 (30%). A total of 17 patients (34%) had family history of glaucoma. Timolol was prescribed to 34 patients (68%), followed by dorzolamide 18 patients (36%) and acetazolamide 14 patients (28%). A total of 32 patients (64%) were prescribed single drug therapy whereas 18 patients (36%) were on multiple drug therapy. A total of 25 patients (50%) reported ADR. In the present study, latanoprost was associated with maximum number of ADRs 9 patients (18%) followed by acetazolamide 7 patients (14%), dorzolamide 4 patients (8%), then timolol 3 patients (6%) and pilocarpine 2 patients (4%). According to Naranjo scale, in 6 patients (24%) the ADR were unlikely, 12 patients (48%) were given possible score, 3 patients (12%) were given probable score, and 4 patients (16%) were given definite scores. CONCLUSION: In the present study, the maximum patients were in the age group of 41-50 years. The most commonly prescribed drugs were timolol followed by dorzolamide, acetazolamide. Latanoprost was associated with maximum number of ADRs.