(98) Psychotropic Drug Utilization in An Ambulatory Psychiatric Clinic of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Publication Number: 772

Background: The availability and use of a wide range of psychotropic medications is linked to a variety of medication errors, non-adherence, adverse drug responses that leads to ineffective treatment. It is critical to track the pattern of use of psychotropic medicines in order to ensure that they are used responsibly.

Objectives: To assess the pattern of psychotropic drug utilization among patients with psychiatric illness at tertiary hospital.

Methods: A prospective observational study was carried out over a period of nine months. Patients of either gender, above 18 years and diagnosed to have psychiatric disorder were enrolled in the study. Prescriptions were reviewed by the clinical pharmacist during patient’s visit at outpatient department of Psychiatry. The demographic details, past medical and family history were collected and documented for further evaluation.

Results: A total of 430 patients were enrolled in the study. A majority (57.20%) of them were females and majority were in the age group of 41-50 years. Depression (60%) was the most common diagnosis followed by Bipolar Affective Disorder (21.62%), schizophrenia (2.30%) and Alcohol Dependence Syndrome (6.04%). Quetiapine (62.8%) was the most commonly prescribed psychotropic medication followed amitriptyline (13.22%). Lithium (54.7 %) was observed to have surpassed the use of Valproate (32%) as a mood stabilizer in bipolar affective disorders. Psychotropic medicines were used in accordance with current recommendations and guidelines for various indications.

Conclusions: Due to the superior safety and tolerability characteristics, newer medications were given more frequently than older prescriptions. In the health centre, psychotropic drug use was a combination of sensible and effective treatment management.