Abstract

Objectives: To study the prescription pattern of drugs in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients attending a tertiary care hospital.

Materials and methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in patients with chronic kidney disease. Patient demographic details, clinical profile, drug usage pattern was recorded using medication usage form and structured case report form and data were analysed using statistical software. Drug-drug interactions were checked using Lexicomp.

Results: A total of 60 patients recruited over a period of 3 months were included in the study and data was obtained. Mean age was 59 years. 63% were males and 37% were females. 52% were in stage 4 of chronic kidney disease [1]. Hypertension (64.9%) was most common comorbidity present followed by anaemia (61.4%), and diabetes (52.6%). A total number of 686 drugs were prescribed in 60 prescriptions. Median number of drugs prescribed per prescription was 11.43 Major classes of drugs prescribed were cardiovascular drugs (23.61%), haematopoietic agents (23.03%), gastrointestinal drugs (9.76%), multivitamins and Minerals (16.32%), anti-hypertensive drugs (11%), antibiotics (6.55%). Potential drug-drug interaction per prescription was 3.18. Out of total 686 drugs, 137 drugs were prescribed by generic name.

Conclusion: Due to multiple comorbidities associated with chronic kidney disease patients, large number of drugs were prescribed indicative of polypharmacy. Potential Drug-drug interactions were also significantly high in these patients. A large number of drugs were prescribed by generic name.