title: A Prospective Real World Experience of Moxonidine Use in Indian Hypertensive Patients-Prescription beyond Current Guidelines.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The primary objective of this study was to assess the use of moxonidine, a centrally acting anti-hypertensive agent in real world practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients who attended out-patients clinic with diagnosis of hypertension were enrolled in the study. Demographics with co-morbid illnesses of all patients were recorded. Patient's prescriptions were recorded and anti-hypertensive medications were also analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 990 patients were eligible during the study period. Moxonidine was used in 4.54% of patients. Two groups could be identified in moxonidine users - one Group with resistant hypertension (30 patients, 3.03% of total, 66.66% of moxonidine users) on multiple drugs to control BP and another Group with intolerance to conventional, first line drugs (15 patients 1.51% of total, 33.33% of moxonidine users). Moxonidine was not used in newly diagnosed hypertension cases. Resistant hypertension and renal failure predicted the use of moxonidine. Majority of drug used was as per current guidelines.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our study results reflected real world practice of current anti-hypertensive therapy. Patients generally receive medications in accordance with current recommendations and guidelines. Small but significant proportion of patients may require use of drugs like moxonidine to control high BP. Guidelines need to incorporate these real world practices.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor, Department of Medicine, Navodaya Medical College & Hospital , Raichur, Karnataka, India .
authors.forename: Suresh V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Sagarad
authors.forename: Sudha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Biradar-Kerure
authors.forename: Ramakrishna
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mr
authors.forename: Chaitanya
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Kumar S
authors.forename: S S
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Reddy
keywords: Drugs; Guidelines; Hypertension; Monotherapy; Moxonidine; Polytherapy