Year: 2026 | Month: June | Volume: 13 | Issue: 6 | Pages: 480-489
DOI: https://doi.org/10.52403/ijrr.20260647
Analysis of Psychotropic Drug Use Pattern and Related Issues in a Tertiary Care Research Centre Apart from Psychiatric Settings
Dr. Sabarinath H, Nitish Hiremath, Varsha HS, Likitha B B, Sanjay Kumar M K
1Department of Pharmacy Practice, Bapuji Pharmacy College, Davangere, Rajiv Ghandi University of Health Science, Bengaluru, Karnataka, India .
Corresponding Author: Nitish Hiremath
ABSTRACT
Objective of the study was to determine the pattern of utilization of psychotropic drugs and the associated problem. A 6-month prospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 110 patients admitted in surgical and general wards in S.S. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Davanagere. Data were collected through structured proforma which includes demographic data, prescription pattern of psychotropic drugs, comorbidities and possible DDIs. Data were analyzed using chi square test.
Out of 110 patients, males (66.4%) constituted a majority of subjects. Most of the subjects were in the age group of 31-56 years (51.9%) and they were all residents of rural area and smoking was the most prevalent social habit (24.5%). Majority of the patients were housewives or unemployed (60.9%). Hypertension was the commonest comorbid illness (48.2%). The prevalence of psychotropic drug use was higher in surgical ward patients (75.5%). Alprazolam (44.5%) was the most commonly prescribed drug followed by nortriptyline (19.6%) and pregabalin (22.3%). Monotherapy was preferred by majority of physicians (62.3%).
There was a total of 126 possible DDIs among which 76.1% were considered as major interaction due to the interaction ofalprazolam. Tramadol (95.5%) was the most commonly co-administered drug and anesthetics were most common drugs involved in the interaction. Six ADRs were identified with Alprazolam, nortriptyline and pregabalin.
Rational use of drugs, awareness of DDI, and active participation of clinical pharmacist led to better safety and effective use of psychotropic drugs.
Keywords: Alprazolam, psychotropic drugs, prescription pattern, drug-drug interactions.
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