A Drug Utilization Study of Cognition Enhancers in Dementia in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Mumbai
Background: Cognitive decline is one of the important factors undermining the quality of life in geriatric patients. Although the WHO has declared ‘Dementia’ as a priority health condition. Cognitive neuropharmacology is still in its infancy and there is no general consensus on the use of cognit...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
JCDR Research and Publications Private Limited
2014-05-01
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| Series: | Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://jcdr.net/articles/PDF/4354/7998_CE(RA)_PF1(AG)_F(T)_PFA(P)_PF2(PAG)p.pdf |
| Summary: | Background: Cognitive decline is one of the important factors
undermining the quality of life in geriatric patients. Although the
WHO has declared ‘Dementia’ as a priority health condition.
Cognitive neuropharmacology is still in its infancy and there is no
general consensus on the use of cognition enhancing (CE) drugs
in humans. Since drug utilization data of CEs in dementia are
scarce, we conducted a study to describe the observed patterns
of CE drug use, compare it to the current recommendations and
conduct a preliminary cost analysis.
Methods: A prospective cross sectional drug utilization study of
100 prescriptions of patients of both sexes and all ages suffering
from dementia attending the Neurology and Psychiatry clinics was
undertaken as per the WHO – DUS and the STROBE guidelines.
Results: In all, the 100 prescriptions contained 322 drugs,
out of which, 168 were CE drugs. 38.2% of the drugs were
prescribed by generic names. Donepezil, Memantine, Piracetam,
Rivastigmine and Gallantamine were prescribed to 76%, 34%,
8%, 6% and 0%, respectively. The PDD/DDD ratio of Donepezil
and Memantine were 1.36 and 0.94, respectively. The average
cost per prescription was INR 626.29 or USD 9.5.
Conclusion: Principles of rational prescribing were followed.
Donepezil and Memantine were the most commonly prescribed
drugs and hence should be included in the hospital drug
schedule. Piracetam should not be prescribed because of
doubtful benefits and high cost. Antipsychotics should be used
in geriatric dementia patients very judiciously. A major part of the
total cost per prescription was borne by the patient. |
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| ISSN: | 2249-782X 0973-709X |