ABSTRACT
Background: Medication errors are widespread public health issue. Prescription errors commonly results in medication error. Prescription error can be largely avoidable this study was performed with aim to point out the common mistake in the prescription which may endanger patients.Methods: Our study was cross-sectional and observational, performed in Index Medical College. 320 prescriptions were reviewed. Analysis was done for presence or absence of essential components of prescription like prescriber information’s, patients information’s, details of drug like its dosage form, strength, frequency, total duration of treatment, warnings or instruction for use. The observed data was expressed in number and percentage.Results: Patient information was complete 315 (98.44%) in prescriptions. Prescriber’s information were present in 284 (88.75%). Legibility was seen in 240 (75%). Use of generic drug, capital letters for drug name, warning are seen in 9 (2.81%), 39 (12.19%), 3 (0.94%) respectively. Completeness in terms of the name of drug, dose, strength, route, frequency, duration and dosage forms of prescribed drugs was seen in 252 (78.75%) prescriptions.Conclusions: Properly framed and written prescription can largely prevent medication error. Regular prescription audit must be carried out so that common mistake can be identified and corrective measure with the help of training session, workshop can be taken.
ABSTRACT
Chloramphenicol is a broad spectrum antibiotic that acts by inhibiting protein synthesis. Though systemic use is rare, their topical preparations are commonly used. Allergic reaction due to chloramphenicol ear drops are less reported. Here, we have reported a maculopapular exanthema due to use of chloramphenicol ear drops.
ABSTRACT
Background: Schizophrenia is a functional psychosis with severe personality changes and thought disorders without cerebral damage. No reports are available in literature regarding efficacy and tolerability of atypical antipsychotic drug zotepine over olanzapine a preferred drug worldwide for the treatment of schizophrenia. Therefore, present study is undertaken to evaluate efficacy, tolerability and cost effectiveness of zotepine over olanzapine in patients suffering from schizophrenia. Methods: A prospective, randomized, single blind, parallel, 6 weeks clinical study was conducted on a total of 112 patients, of schizophrenia attending psychiatry outpatient department at G. R. Medical College, Gwalior, India randomized into two groups (56 in each). Patients received either olanzapine (10-20mg) or zotepine (75-150mg) per day for a period of 6 week. Efficacy was measured by Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scale whereas tolerability was measured by dropout rate and frequency of adverse effects. Cost effectiveness was calculated in terms of cost incurred for improvement at the end of treatment period. Results: Both the drugs showed significant (P<0.05) improvement in PANSS total score as compared to their respective baseline scores however, there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>.0.05). Olanzapine showed significantly better (P<0.05) positive subscale and CGI scale score improvement as well as response rate when compared to zotepine. Incidences of adverse effects like weight gain, somnolence and hyperglycemia were 42, 32 and12 % respectively with olanzapine and 39, 30 and 9% respectively with zotepine with no significant difference (P>0.05) between the two groups. Incidence of akathisia and drop out (16% and 23%) with zotepine were significant (P<0.05) as compared to olanzapine (2% and 11%) respectively. Conclusions: Though the efficacy of both the drugs is comparable, olanzapine appears to have better tolerability and cost effectiveness than zotepine in patients of schizophrenia.