European Journal of Biomedical and Pharmaceutical Sciences

PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF DRUGS USED IN PATIENTS WITH CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE IN HYDERABAD METROPOLITAN

Nusrath Siddiqui*

ABSTRACT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a group of lung diseases characterized by chronic increase in resistance of airway outflow, i.e. airway obstruction. The obstruction can happen in the level of the airway, from proximal airway trachea and larger bronchi, to distal terminal and respiratory bronchioles in varying degrees. Clinically, COPD shows a decreased expiratory flow rate, reflecting decreased maximal airflow rates during expiration (forced expiratory volume at one second [FEV1] over the forced ventilator capacity less than 0.7). The main underlying pathogenesis of airway obstruction is narrowed airways and/or loss of elastic recoil. Common entities in COPD include emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and bronchi ectasis. COPD is the third leading cause o death and affects >10 million persons in the United States. It is also a disease of increasing public health importance around the world. The goal of drug therapy includes an attempt to improve lung function or slow the loss of lung function, and to prevent exacerbations. Most medications for COPD are administered by inhalation. Standard therapy consists of inhaled bronchodilators, either β-agonists or antimuscarinics (anticholinergics), and ICS. Oral agents, used less commonly, include methylxanthines (e.g., theophylline), phosphodiesterase- 4 inhibitors (e.g., roflumilast), and corticosteroids (prednisone or prednisolone). The aim of this survey is to determine whether Rational drug therapy is being practiced in patients with the air flow obstruction and COPD associated symptoms.

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