European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PRESCRIBING PATTERN OF ORAL HYPOGLYCEMIC DRUGS INCLUDING DPP-4 INHIBITORS AND THEIR ADVERSE DRUG REACTION IN A UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

Ijhar Ashraf, Abul Kalam Najmi, Prem Kapur, Mohd. Aqil, Mohd Akhtar*

ABSTRACT

Objective: This study envisaged the drug prescribing pattern and adverse drug reaction (ADR) profiling of different oral hypoglycemic agents (OHAs) including DPP-4 inhibitors. Materials and Methods: This prospective study was carried out in 123 patients of HAH Centenary Hospital, New Delhi. Parameters recorded for different oral hypoglycemic agents prescribed including DPP-4 inhibitors were gender distribution, average age range, patient’s history, average number of oral hypoglycemic drugs per prescription, blood glucose levels, compliance or adherence etc. The data was collected from physicians prescribing records and patient’s medication profile. Results: Among the total 123 type 2 diabetic patients, 56 patients were male while 67 were female. The maximum number 41 (33.33%) fell under the age group of 51-60. A total of 21.95% patients had a family history of diabetes. The average number of oral hypoglycemic agents per prescription was 1.76. The mean fasting blood glucose level was 158.8 ± 76.6 mg%. The Morisky score 4 was observed in only 8.94% of the patients. The study population showed 46.34% adherence with the prescribed treatment. Metformin (33.4 %) was the most commonly prescribed followed by glimepride (21.5 %), pioglitazone (17.8 %) and vildagliptin (7%). Maximum numbers of ADRs were reported with metformin. The most commonly prescribed oral hypoglycemic class was biguanides (metformin) followed by sulfonylureas (glimepiride), thiazolidinediones (pioglitazone), DPP-4 inhibitors (vildagliptin and sitagliptin) and alphaglucosidase inhibitors (voglibose). Conclusion: The most common oral hypoglycemic class prescribed was determined as biguanides followed by sulfonylureas, thiazolidinediones, DPP- 4 inhibitors and alpha-glucosidase inhibitors. The incidences of ADRs were higher with metformin.

Keywords: Drug prescribing pattern, Metformin, Adverse Drug Reaction Oral hypoglycemic agents.