European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

A STUDY ON THE RATIONALE USE, PRESCRIBING PATTERN AND PHARMACOECONOMICS OF BENZODIAZEPENES USED IN PSYCHIATRY DISORDERS IN A TERTIARY CARE HOSPITAL

Igwe Kelechi Jeckings*, Shahin Habeeb, Naveen Surendran, Behnaz Mayeli Menderjani and Dr. Manasa Reddy B. S.

ABSTRACT

This study as stated in the title will focus on the rational use of the benzodiazepines, its prescribing patterns and their pharmacoeconomic as they are prescribed for psychiatric disorders. Benzodiazepines are a group of prescription only medicines that have a sedating / hypnotic and calming effects on the nervous system. They are used to treat a range of different nervous system disorders such as insomnia, generalized anxiety disorder, social anxiety disorder, seizure disorders such as epilepsy, anticonvulsants, muscle relaxant and panic disorder etc. The rational use in prescribing of benzodiazepines to patients with psychiatry disorders is imperative in psychiatry care not only due to the fact that these drugs have the tendency to develop dependency in the patient but the litany of side effects both mild and life threating is reason enough to ensure that the patients are taking the medications in the right dose for the right diagnosis at the right time and at the right frequency and in rare cases in the right dosage form. Pharmacoeconomics of benzodiazepines is one of the major objectives of this study. We would like to establish a conclusion on whether the cost as a factor directly or indirectly affects the prognosis and treatment of the disorder in the patient and how that may in turn affect their quality of mental health in the long run.

Keywords: Benzodiazepines, Pharmacoeconomics, Rationality, Adherence, Comorbidities, Brand, Generic.