ABSTRACT:
OBJECTIVES: The objective of the current research is to evaluate the drug use pattern of antiplatelet agents in a tertiary care hospital. METHODOLOGY: A prospective and observational study was designed and conducted in general medicine department of a tertiary care hospital, ESI hospital, Ayanavaram for a period of 6 months. A total number of 110 patients were included in the study and followed to evaluate the drug use pattern of the antiplatelet agents. This study was conducted in In-patients of general medicine department prescribed with antiplatelet drugs. RESULTS: A total number of 110 patients were studied according to the inclusion criteria. Among the study population male patients (55%) are highly prescribed with antiplatelet drugs than female patients (45%). According to age distribution the patients with the age group of 51-60 are highly prescribed with antiplatelet drugs. The patients diagnosed with Ischemic heart disease (48%) are highly prescribed with antiplatelet drugs. Drug interaction in the prescribtion were assessed and reported. Aspirin and clopidogrel are the mostly prescribed antiplatelet drugs which are prescribed in combination (89%). CONCLUSION: We found that 89% of drug use of antiplatelet drugs are achieved in the study and the drug use was assessed to be rational. Further studies are essential to assess the drug use pattern and standard treatment guidelines.