Prescription pattern in cases of ischemic stroke in general medicine department in Government General Hospital, Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh

ABSTRACT

Background: Stroke, as a one of the leading causes of mortality and disability, is also very preventable and curable disease. Pharmacotherapy plays an important role in prevention of first-ever stroke as well as secondary cerebrovascular accident. We aimed to evaluate the prescription pattern in cases of ischemic stroke and to check whether rationale prescription of drugs in ischemic stroke patients is being followed in our hospital.Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in inpatient department of general medicine in government general hospital, Kakinada for a period of six months from April to September 2018. A total of 306 prescriptions of ischemic stroke were selected randomly and prescriptions patterns were assessed and analyzed.Results: Out of the 306 cases, 183 were males (59.80%) and 123 were female (40.19%). Aspirin was given in 88.23% of the patients, Atorvastatin in 97.05%, Clopidogrel in 24.50%, antihypertensives in 67.64%, B complex in 88.23%, Pantoprazole in 85.29% of the patients. Physiotherapy was advised in 47.05% of the patients. Among anti hypertensives, Amlodipine was given in 73.91% patients.Conclusions: Anti hypertensives, lipid lowering agents like Atorvastatin along with anti-platelet drugs like Aspirin and Clopidogrel were commonly prescribed for ischemic stroke cases for treatment and secondary prevention. Antacids and Multivitamin tablets were given as concomitant drugs. Present study showed a rationale utilization of drugs in ischemic stroke patients.