Key result
Among 30 patients with uncomplicated hypertension, monotherapy was the most common prescribing pattern (70%), with beta blockers being the most frequently prescribed drug class (45%).
Cross-Sectional (n=30)
No
In a Malaysian private clinic, beta-blockers were the most commonly prescribed antihypertensives, often as monotherapy and using trade names, which contradicts local guidelines recommending diuretics as first-line therapy.
Beta-blocker monotherapy predominated despite diuretic-first guidelines; small observational data leave open broader adherence and need confirmatory audits.
Background: Hypertension is one of the common chronic diseases resulting in high mortality and morbidity. A plethora of new drugs are now available, and the quality of life for these patients has been altered for the better. Not many studies are conducted in Malaysia regarding drug utilization of antihypertensives and hence this study was planned.Methods: This was a pilot study conducted in a private clinic in Kuala Lumpur. Thirty patients with hypertension were chosen randomly and their prescriptions were analyzed. The data was collected in a proforma designed for the study. The proforma included variables such as age, gender, drugs used, and also regarding the names of the drugs used (generic or trade). The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics.Results: Thirty patients were recruited for the study. We found that 53% of the patients were females and 47% males. Trade names were more commonly used i.e. 64% of patients, than the generic names. Monotherapy (70%) was more frequently used than combination drugs. Beta blockers (45%) were used more often followed by calcium channel blockers (25%).Conclusions: The incidence of polypharmacy was low. The three most common groups of drugs used in hypertension were beta blockers followed by calcium channel blockers and then angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors. Drug utilization studies are powerful exploratory tools to ascertain the role of drugs in society.
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Jaiprakash et al. (2013) conducted a cross-sectional in Hypertension (n=30). Antihypertensive drugs was evaluated on Most commonly prescribed antihypertensive drug class. Among 30 patients with uncomplicated hypertension, monotherapy was the most common prescribing pattern (70%), with beta blockers being the most frequently prescribed drug class (45%).
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