Prescribing patterns and cost of antihypertensive drugs in an internal medicine clinic.
BACKGROUND
Antihypertensive agents are selected primarily for their ability to prevent morbidity and mortality related to hypertension.


RESULTS
Prescribing trends and the cost of antihypertensive drugs were studied in 300 patients attending an internal medicine clinic. Beta-blockers were the most frequently used group of drugs (46.7%), followed by calcium-channel antagonists (34.3%) and angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (30%). Diuretics were used in only 13.2% of the prescriptions. Atenolol (36%), amlodipine (29.3%) and enalapril (19%) were the most frequently used individual drugs. Propranolol, furosemide, amlodipine and atenolol were the least expensive drugs used, with annual drug acquisition costs of Rs 80, 102, 182 and 318, respectively. Benazepril (Rs 1778), diltiazem SR (Rs 1777), lisinopril (Rs 1660), prazosin (Rs 1416) and losartan (Rs 1365) were the most expensive drugs in terms of annual drug acquisition costs.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of our study emphasize the need to encourage frequent use of diuretics. Since the costs of different antihypertensives vary considerably, newer and relatively expensive antihypertensives should be prescribed only when clearly indicated.
Jhaj
R
R
Department of Pharmacology and Internal Medicine, Government Medical College, Chandigarh. balak@glide.net.in
Goel
N K
NK
Gautam
C S
CS
Hota
D
D
Sangeeta
B
B
Sood
A
A
Sachdev
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000191:economics* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004363:Drug Utilization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy*; D007194:India; D007388:Internal Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians' / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*
D000959:Antihypertensive Agents