Department of Pharmacology

Assessment of the quality of prescribing in the patient admitted to intensive cardiac care unit (iccu) of a tertiary care hospital using prescription quality index (pqi) tool

2022-01-01T00:00:00Z

Assessment of the quality of prescribing in the patient admitted to intensive cardiac care unit (iccu) of a tertiary care hospital using prescription quality index (pqi) tool Geethu George Thannikot Background: A good prescription is evidence-based, rational, complete and precise. It can improve treatment outcomes. Several tools have been developed to assess the quality of prescriptions. the prescription quality index (PQI) is a tool which includes 22 parameters in the form of questions as an instrument for use across drugs and clinical problems in various contexts. This study aims to evaluate the prescription quality of patients with cardiovascular disorders who have been admitted to an intensive cardiac care unit. Materials and Methods: Patients with cardiovascular diseases admitted to the Intensive Cardiac Care Unit (ICCU) were considered with their complete case record to analyze prescriptions. Prescription Quality Index (PQI) questionnaire was used to evaluate each prescription with appropriate scores. Accordingly, the quality of the prescriptions were also assessed. Results: Majority of the patients admitted in the ICCU were in the age group of 60 to 69 years (52%) with male predominance (81%) in the cardiovascular diseases in this tertiary care centre. 49% of the patients had hypertension as comorbidity and 10% had Diabetes mellitus. Most of the prescriptions had few drugs, which were not the cheapest drug given as compared to its alternatives. Drug-drug interactions was rare. Prescribing in generic names were seen less. Clearly written and legible prescriptions were 56%. The prescriber’s and patient’s information was adequately seen in 61% and the overall PQI core showed that all the prescriptions were of high quality. Conclusion: The PQI is a valid tool to analyze the prescription quality in chronic conditions at different health-care facilities. Our study shows that high quality prescriptions can be attained by the careful prescription writing procedure, in an Intensive cardiac care unit in a tertiary care unit.

Evaluation Of Antiepileptic Activities Of Ramipril And Telmisartan And Potentiation Of The Antiepileptic Effect Of Phenytoin Sodium And Valproic Acid In Rat Models

2021-01-01T00:00:00Z

Evaluation Of Antiepileptic Activities Of Ramipril And Telmisartan And Potentiation Of The Antiepileptic Effect Of Phenytoin Sodium And Valproic Acid In Rat Models Sneha, Guidance :Dr. Akram A. Naikawdi Background: Epilepsy is a chronic disorder with heterogeneous symptoms characterized by recurrent seizures resulting from abnormal discharge of cerebral neurons. Several different drugs are available and act through diverse mechanisms. However, most of them have a low safety margin and provide seizure control in 60 - 70% of patients. Attempts are being made to explore the anti-epileptic potentials of several different groups of drugs. Drugs interfering with Renin- Angiotensin- Aldosterone system (RAAS) have shown potential as an add-on therapy with existing anti-epileptic drugs. Objectives: To evaluate the anti-epileptic potential of Ramipril and Telmisartan using the Maximum Electroshock (MES) model and PTZ model in rats and also to evaluate its effect as an add-on with Phenytoin and Sodium Valproate Methods: The study was conducted on Male Wistar rats to investigate the effects of Ramipril (2mg/kg) and Telmisartan (30 mg/kg) individually, as well as in combination with Phenytoin and Sodium Valproate, in models of epilepsy. In the maximal electroshock (MES) model, the rats were administered Ramipril (2mg/kg) and Telmisartan (30 mg/kg) alone and in combination with Phenytoin (Ramipril 1mg/kg + Phenytoin Sodium 50 mg/kg) and (Telmisartan 15 mg/kg + Phenytoin Sodium 50 mg/kg). Phenytoin Sodium (100mg/kg) was used as the standard reference. The effects were assessed based on the abolition of Hind Limb Tonic Extension (HLTE), serving as an index of anti-epileptic activity. Similarly, in the pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) model, the rats received Ramipril (2mg/kg) and Telmisartan (30 mg/kg) alone and in combination with Sodium Valproate (Ramipril 1mg/kg + Sodium Valproate 125 mg/kg) and (Telmisartan 15 mg/kg + Sodium Valproate 125 mg/kg). Sodium Valproate (250mg/kg) was the standard reference. The effects were evaluated based on the delay in the onset of convulsions, another index of anti-epileptic activity. Results: Both Ramipril and Telmisartan exhibited significant anti-epileptic effects when used alone. Both drugs potentiated the anti-epileptic effect of Phenytoin and Sodium Valproate. Conclusion: Drugs interfering with RAS, like Ramipril (ACEI) and Telmisartan (ARB), can be used alone for generalized tonic-clonic convulsions (GTC). In patients receiving ACEIs or ARBs for other clinical conditions, a dose of Phenytoin and Sodium Valproate can be reduced if these patients also have epilepsy.

To Evaluate And Compare The Antiepileptic Effect Of Calcium Channel Blockers And Their Ability To Potentiate The Antiepileptic Effect Of Existing Antiepileptic Drugs In Rat Models

2017-01-01T00:00:00Z

To Evaluate And Compare The Antiepileptic Effect Of Calcium Channel Blockers And Their Ability To Potentiate The Antiepileptic Effect Of Existing Antiepileptic Drugs In Rat Models Vijayalaxmi M., Uppin Background: The currently available antiepileptic drugs have a low therapeutic index, and provide satisfactory seizure control in only 60-70% of patients. Calcium channel blocker has shown potentials of a useful add-on drug for the existing antiepileptic drugs. Materials and Methods: Antiepileptic potential of calcium channel blockers (nifedipine and verapamil) was evaluated in MES and PTZ models of epilepsy in comparison and combination with phenytoin (25 mg/kg) and sodium valproate (250 mg/kg) in albino wistar rats; half the dose was used when calcium channel blockers (nifedipine and verapamil) was combined with either phenytoin or sodium valproate. The time taken before the onset of clonic convulsions (latency), the duration of clonic convulsions, the percentage of seizure protection and percentage mortality were recorded. Results: Calcium channel blockers (nifedipine and verapamil) were found to reduce the durations of tonic extensor phase, duration of convulsion in a statistically significant way in the both MES and PTZ model; and while used in combination with phenytoin and/or sodium valproate, the results were statistically significant than both the drugs given individually. In both these group statistically significant increased percentage epilepsy protection and decrease in percentage mortality was noted when compared to control groups (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Calcium channel blockers (nifedipine and verapamil) have shown potency as an individual antiepileptic drug as well as a useful add-on therapy with standard antiepileptic drugs like phenytoin and sodium valproate in both the models of epilepsy.

“Critical Analysis Of Fixed Dose Combinations (Fdcs) Prescribed In A Tertiary Care Hospital In Vijayapura”

2018-01-01T00:00:00Z

“Critical Analysis Of Fixed Dose Combinations (Fdcs) Prescribed In A Tertiary Care Hospital In Vijayapura” Kamni, Supreet