European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF ANTIHYPERTENSIVE DRUGS IN ENUGU: A REPORT OF THE ESUT RESEARCH GROUP

Ezeala-Adikaibe B.A.*, Nwobodo N.N., Okafor H., Orjioke C., Okpara T., Aneke E., Chime P., Mbadiwe N., Nwosu N., Onyebeke G., Nwobodo M., Okudo G.

ABSTRACT

Over the years many antihypertensive medications have become available; however, there is a need for early, effective and rational combination of medications. Limited data exist in South East Nigeria to give a clear picture of prescription patterns. The main objective of the present study, therefore, is to assess the prescribing patterns of antihypertensives in outpatients attending a teaching hospital in Enugu, South East Nigeria. This is a crosssectional study conducted in the medical out-patient clinic of the Enugu State University of Science and Technology Teaching Hospital (ESUTH) in Enugu, Enugu State, South East Nigeria. The SPSS version 17 (IBM Corporation, New York, USA) was used for database management and statistical analysis. Three hundred and sixty one subjects were recruited and their case notes were reviewed. During the period under review 25.5% (93/361) were on monotherapy and 67.6% (243/361) were on combination therapy. Most combinations were made up of 2 medications 75.7% (184/243). Diuretics 59.8% (216/361), calcium channel blockers 43.2% (156/361) and angiotensin converting enzymes inhibitors 42.8% (153/361) were commonly prescribed. Diuretics were the most commonly used drug 54.6 % (197/361) in combination therapy. Blood pressure was normal (<140/90mmHg) in 31% (112/361) individuals. Number of medications prescribed positively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels and negatively with the number of co-morbidities. In conclusion, most hypertensive subjects attending the outpatient clinic at ESUTH, Enugu used diuretic based combination therapy. Prescription pattern correlated with blood pressure levels and not number of co-morbidities. The overall level of blood pressure control among hypertensive subjects remains low at 31% despite the fact that 74.5% were on combination therapy. Public health educational measures promoting primary and secondary prevention of hypertension should be encouraged with emphasis on adherence

Keywords: Antihypertensive drugs, Hyprtension, Nigeria, Prescription pattern.