Assessment of drug utilization pattern of antihypertensive medications using defined daily dose, drug utilization 90% and World Health Organization drug use indicators

Objectives Hypertension is a common public health issue worldwide, significantly associated with increased risk of diseases affecting the heart, blood vessels, and kidneys, resulting in increased morbidity and mortality. Different classes of antihypertensive medications are available for the treatment of hypertension, and rational use of these drugs may help in better control of the disease and reduce unwanted adverse effects and expenses. Drug utilization research is essential to ensure the appropriate and efficient use of medications. Additionally, these studies provide valuable feedback to healthcare providers, aiding them in making informed and rational decisions. The purpose of this study was to assess current patterns in the usage of drugs prescribed to treat hypertension. Material and Methods A total of 150 hypertensive patients who visited the OPD of the Department of Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences, and Guru Teg Bahadur Hospital were enrolled. A predesigned patient record form and prescribing pattern proforma were used to record the information of patients. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. Frequency, percentage, and Mean ± SD were used to express the values. Results The average number of drugs per prescription was 5.85, and the average number of antihypertensive drugs prescribed per prescription was 2.30. Generic names were used for 90.98 % of prescribed drugs, and 92% of drugs were prescribed from the essential drug list (EDL). The most commonly prescribed antihypertensive drugs were calcium channel blockers (CCBs) (31.19%), which were followed by angiotensin receptor blockers (17.78%). Amlodipine was the most frequently prescribed CCB in 107(71.33%) patients, while telmisartan was the most commonly prescribed drug among angiotensin receptor blockers in 61(40.67%) patients. Defined daily dose (DDD)/patient was most frequent for amlodipine (91.41), followed by telmisartan (41.07) and furosemide (16.85). Among the medicines that account for 90% of DDD prescriptions (DU90%) were amlodipine, telmisartan, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, and enalapril. Conclusion Prescribing of A majority of the medications with their nonproprietary names and from the EDL indicates an encouraging approach. World Health Organization (WHO) drug utilization indicators, the anatomical therapeutic chemical (ATC) system, DDD, and DU90% drug indicators help in rational prescribing and adherence to guidelines.