Evaluation of Prescription Pattern, Adverse Drug Reaction and Cost Analysis of Anti-Hyperlipidemic Drugs

Abstract

Hyperlipidemia ought to be the prominent cause of all Cardio Vascular Diseases (CVD). Evidence-based guidelines issued by the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Adult Treatment Panel III (ATP III) underlines the importance of hyperlipidemia treatment with an aggressive LDL-C goal of <100 mg/dl for high risk patients. For the reduced cardiovascular morbidity and mortality the lipid lowering drugs ought to be given on a long-term basis. But on the other hand, incidence rate shows that these agents especially statins found to have many risks on long term use, which was the reason to have a look on it. The aim of the present study was to assess the risk of using statins on a long term basis and the burden caused by the same in the patients. A total of 105 patients of ≥26 years of age were collected. Among that 55 were males and 50 were females. Commonly prescribed anti-hyperlipidemic drug was atorvastatin.6 ADRs were found in the present study. The major one was rhabdomyolysis followed by muscle pain, elevated creatinine kinase and transaminase. The ADRs found were assessed by Naranjo’s probability scale and Hartwig’s severity assessment scale. The cost analysis of these drugs was done on the basis of duration of hospital stay for the burden caused. Descriptive analysis was the statistical method used. The present study gave a better knowledge on the risk of statins, which on long term use may lead to lethal effects like kidney and liver failure.