Prescribing Pattern of Analgesics in Indoor Patients of Orthopaedic Department in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in North India

Abstract

Introduction: Analgesics are the most common class of drugs prescribed for various conditions in the orthopaedics inpatient department. This study was conducted to evaluate the prescribing pattern of analgesics and analyse the rational use of analgesics in orthopaedic inpatient department of tertiary care teaching hospital.
Methods: A prospective observation study was carried out in 100 indoor patients of orthopaedics department at Govt. Medical College, Jammu. Demographic and clinical data were documented in a predesigned case record form. The type of analgesics prescribed, mono or combination therapy, number of analgesics and concomitant drugs, were analysed to obtain an overview of the current prescribing pattern and rational use of Analgesics.
Results: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) in mono and combination therapy were the most commonly prescribed analgesics. Proton pump Inhibitors (PPIs) were observed as most common co-prescribed drugs.
Conclusion: NSAIDs are the most commonly prescribed analgesics. The rising trend for prescription of pregabalin and paroxetine (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors; SSRIs) have been observed. Moreover, high number of drugs per prescription have been documented.