Abstract

Background: Lipid-lowering agents are now the cornerstone of treatment used to reduce the risk of coronary events. Since there is wide variation in selection and use of these drugs, drug utilization studies help to evaluate and analyze drug therapy from time to time. This in turn can guide physicians prescribing practices and help in minimizing adverse drug reactions.

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate the prescribing pattern of hypolipidemic drugs in a tertiary care teaching hospital in Jammu.

Materials and Methods: An observational study was carried out in patients attending the departments of cardiology and general medicine for 6 months. Prescription of the patients who were prescribed at least one hypolipidemic drug as monotherapy or in combination was evaluated. Hypolipidemic and other classes of drugs prescribed and the World Health Organization prescribing indicators were analyzed. Monthly cost of the hypolipidemic drugs prescribed was also determined.

Results: Nearly, two-third (63.7%) patients with increased plasma lipids and 36.2% patients in spite of having normal lipid profile were prescribed hypolipidemic drugs as well. Hypertension with comorbid conditions (39.63%) was the most common diseases, for which hypolipidemic drugs were prescribed. The average number of drugs per prescription was 6.21 ± 1.6. Atorvastatin was the most common hypolipidemic drug prescribed as monotherapy (59.16%), whereas atorvastatin with ramipril was the most common drugs prescribed as combination therapy (14.69%).

Conclusion: This study depicts the widespread use of statins in various disease conditions, both as primary and secondary preventive measures. Such studies should be done to educate the physicians on good prescribing practices and on rational use of hypolipidemic drugs.

Key words: Coronary Artery Disease; Drug Utilization; Dyslipidemia; Hypolipidemic Drugs