A study on drug utilisation evaluation of HMG -CoA reductase inhibitor (atorvastatin) in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Abstract

Introduction

Atorvastatin is an appropriate first-line lipid-lowering drug. It is a HMG-Co. A (3-hydroxy 3-methylglutaryl coenzyme.A) reductase inhibitor which can efficiently and dose dependently lower both cholesterol and triglyceride levels in hyper-lipidemic patients and produce a significant larger reduction of cholesterol and triglycerides compared with equivalent doses of other statin drugs.

Objectives

Our objectives are to determine the safety, efficacy, rationale use of Atorvastatin in patients in a tertiary care teaching hospital and to provide information to health care providers and patients.

Methodology

It was a prospective observational study which was undertaken in medicine, ICU and casualty departments of 300 bedded multi- speciality tertiary care teaching hospital, SVS hospital, for a period of 6 months. A total of 210 prescriptions were included in the study and were followed for the drug use evaluation to study. This study criterion was the in-patients and out-patients of age greater than 18yrs of either gender who are prescribed with HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor Atorvastatin. Patient data relevant to the study was obtained from Patient case records, medication charts and lab reports. The study protocol and written informed consent form were approved by the ethical committee at the hospital.

Results

During the study period the following results were obtained. The drug was found to be more safe in males (97.24%) compared to females (93.85%). The drug was found to be more effective in females (98.46%) compared to males (96.55%).The drug was found to be rationally prescribed more in males (95.86%) compared to females (92.31%). In the lipid profile study, all the different parameters like serum cholesterol, High density lipoproteins (HDL) , Low density lipoproteins (LDL), Very Low density lipoproteins (VLDL) and triglycerides were found to be in the normal range in about 60-70% of males, where as lipid profile parameters of females were found to be in the normal range in about 20-30% females.

Conclusion

We conclude that the drug use was found to be safe, effective and it was rationally prescribed. Interventions for promoting more appropriate use of Atorvastatin should be implemented. Further studies from time to time are required in drug utilization pattern and standard treatment guidelines to be circulated among practicing physicians.