ABSTRACT
Background: Prescription pattern studies are a tool for assessing the prescribing, dispensing and distribution of medicines. The main aim of assessing prescribing pattern is to facilitate rational use of medicines. So the main aim of the study was to assess the prescribing pattern of oral anti-diabetic agents in type 2 diabetes mellitus, to assess the rationality of the prescribed drugs and also to assess the pattern of co-morbid conditions associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus in a tertiary care hospital.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with Department of General Medicine. Study was conducted from 1st June 2016 to 31st Aug 2016 (3 months). A total of 100 patients were enrolled after taking written informed consent. A structured case recording form was used to record demographic details and prescription details. The rationality of prescriptions was assessed using American Diabetes Association guidelines 2015.Results: Majority of the patients were prescribed combination therapy (54%) followed by monotherapy (46%). Oral anti-diabetic agents used as monotherapy other than metformin were inappropriate. Among the patients receiving combination therapy majority were receiving a fixed dose combination which were inappropriate.Conclusions: Majority of the patients were receiving fixed dose combinations without justifiable pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic benefits. Such kinds of studies are required to improve rationality of prescription of drugs, decreasing morbidity and mortality of patients and decreasing the cost of treatment.
ABSTRACT
Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a spectrum of metabolic disorders as a consequence of different pathogenic mechanisms resulting in hyperglycemia. A genetic predisposition to develop ?-cell dysfunction synergizes with insulin resistance to lead to type 2 DM. Adequate management of type 2 DM requires institution of non pharmacological treatment followed by pharmacological treatment. Monotherapy is started initially followed by combination therapy (dual/triple). Sitagliptin, a DPP-4 inhibitor and voglibose, an ?-glucosidase inhibitor has been implicated as an add on therapy to metformin and glimepiride. So, we aimed to assess the efficacy and safety of the sitagliptin and voglibose as add on therapy to metformin and glimepitide in type 2 DM.Methods: This open label randomized control trial was conducted in the department of Pharmacology among patients attending medicine OPD of a tertiary care hospital. 80 patients were randomly divided into two groups of 40 patients each. group A:sitagliptin + metformin + glimepiride and group B:voglibose + metformin + glimepiride. Patients were followed every week for a period of 12 weeks. Data was analysed using paired t test, unpaired t test and chi square test.Results: There was a significant decrease in HbA1c, FPG and PPG in both the groups. Intergroup comparison at 4, 8 and 12 weeks showed a better improvement in glycemic control in group A as compared to group B.Conclusions: Sitagliptin showed a better glycemic control than that with voglibose in patients with uncontrolled type 2 DM on metformin and glimepiride.