Articles

The  aim  of  our  study  was  to  assess the  knowledge  of  medical  students  about  OTC drugs.

Materials & methods

150  students  who  are  in  2^nd  year  MBBS  studying  at  MVJ  Medical  College  and  Research  Hospital,  Hoskote  were  given  a  questionnaire  covering  about awareness & various  aspects  on  usage  of  OTC  drugs  &  responses  obtained  were  noted.

Results

120 (80%) students knew that OTC means Non-prescription drugs.  Among  150  students,  only  (54%)  used  OTC  &  majority  of  them  have  taken  treatment  from  physician in  the  past  6  months. The  frequently  reported  illness  that  prompted  self-medication  included  respiratory diseases  [cough, cold, sore throat,  pharyngitis,  tonsillitis  etc.]  & viral fever.  Majority of  them  obtained OTC  by  telling  the  drug  name  -  self  decision  (64%),  telling  symptom  (11.33%),  showing  old  prescription  (8.66%)   &  10 (6.66%) students  have  practiced  self-medication  by  advice  from  an  herbalist  /  Ayurveda.  Most  common  reasons  for  self-medication  was  its  less  time  consuming  (43.33%)  &  previous  experience of similar  illness  (26.66%)  which  lead  to  repeated  use  of  self-medication  for  same  problem  in  (82%)  students.  Commonly used self-medication was analgesic (97.33%).  Gastrointestinal  side  effects  (47.33%)  &  sedation (39.33%)  were  more  with  OTC  drugs  used.  We  have  found  that  (51.33%)  people  share OTC  among  relatives  and  friends.  About (81.33%) students  were  aware  about  precautions to be  taken as  per  instructions  &  label, whereas (57.33%)  students  knew  about  possible  drug  interactions  /  contraindications  of  OTC  drugs.

Conclusion

Even  though  self-medication  was  not  common  among  our  students  because  most  of  them  were  aware  about  OTC  drugs  their  advantages  &  disadvantages,  it’s  inevitable  to  stop  its  usage  among  the  public.  The  intervention  will  require  better  education  of  public  and  health  professionals  to  avoid  the  irrational  use  of  drugs.

Kanaka linga karpoorathi mezhugu is a herbomineral drug preparation used in Siddha system of medicine used to treat thyroid disorders and allied ailments. Known risk factors for thyroid disease include autoimmunity, external irradiation of the head and neck, a biosynthetic defect in iodine organification, replacement of the thyroid gland by tumour, and use of certain drugs. There are several forms of herbomineral drugs like Mezhugu, Parpam, Chendooram, Chunnam, Pathangam, Kattu, Kalangu etc have their in own pharmacological system, but needs to meet the global standards. Male albino rats of were used for this present thyro-toxicity study. Animals were provided with normal rats feed and normal water ad libitum. Hypothyoidi condition was induced using methimazole. They were provided with KLK mezhugu in water suspension in test groups. Aanimals were sacrificed, blood was drawn and the serum was separated for biochemical analysis. The result of this study shows the significant thyrotoxicity induced by methimazole was evidenced by increase in serum T3 Triiodothyronine, T4 Thyroxine, TSH secretion due to thyroid cellular necrosis. The administration of KLK mezhugu for 30 days was found able to treat and protect thyroid necrosis against methimazole induced thyroid-toxicity. 

High blood pressure is classified as either primary (essential) high blood pressure or secondary high blood pressure. The target of this study is to assess the efficiency of resveratrol in managing blood pressure in members diagnosed with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension. The main objectives of this trial are to regulate the BP-lowering actions of resveratrol on systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial BP in members diagnosed with prehypertension and stage 1 hypertension. The outcomes from this study will help to decide the effectiveness of short-term resveratrol treatment in hypertensive patients and connect the gap with regards to the recent preclinical and clinical evidence. The primary results in this study will be BP. Systolic and diastolic BPs will be measured by using a mercury sphygmomanometer twice on patient in a sitting position after a 10-minute rest and with a 15-minute interval. The measurement will be done every week during the intervention period. The mean systolic and diastolic BP will be computed. Mean arterial pressure will be calculated as systolic blood BP plus two times the diastolic BP divided by three [(SBP + 2 × DBP) ÷ 3]. This study will also help in gathering further data with regard to recognizing a therapeutically effectual dose of resveratrol in reducing cardiovascular disease risk factors. Importantly, if a positive outcome is identified, it will provide us with an effectual therapeutic strategy to fight against hypertension and would pave the way for reaching enormous population well-being sake. Pharmacokinetics may have assisted to draw a relation between the plasma bioavailability and the actual physiological effect. In this trial, stage 1-hypertensive patients will be on quality therapy for hypertension as well; therefore, it may not be feasible to understand the standalone effictiveness of resveratrol in lowering BP in these patients.

Objective

In the present study, we evaluated anti-Parkinson’s activity of Ropinirole hydrochloride loaded in microsphere by intranasal delivery for brain targeting. 

Material & Method

All animal experiments were approved and performed in Malla Reddy College of Pharmacy accordance with the guidelines of Institutional Animal Ethics Committee (CPCSEA Registration No: 1217/PO/RE/S/2008).

Result

For In-Vivo evaluation of nasal microspheres of Ropinirole Hydrochloride, rabbit was chosen as a model for study because the blood volume of the rabbit is sufficiently large (approximately 300 ml) to permit frequent blood sampling and allow a full characterization of the absorption and determination of the pharmacokinetic profile of the drug. The Cmax after oral dosing was found to be 107.833±1.567 ng/ml and the corresponding Tmax was at 1.86±0.066 hrs.

Conclusion

From all the parameters studied, it can be concluded that combination of Carbopol 974P and guar gum is better mucoadhesive polymer for the formulation of mucoadhesive microspheres of Ropinirole Hydrochloride for intranasal administration. Thus, the formulated microspheres seem to be a potential candidate as intranasal controlled drug delivery system for treatment of Parkinson’s disease.

Objective

Psychotropics are known to cause number of adverse drug reactions (ADRs) which often results in either nonadherence or discontinuation of therapy. Present study aimed to analyze the pattern as well as causality, preventability, severity and predictability of occurrence of ADRs in psychiatry.

Materials and Methods

This retrospective cohort study was conducted to analyze the ADRs reported spontaneously from the Department of Psychiatry at a tertiary care hospital, Bengaluru to the ADR monitoring centre, Bangalore Medical College & Research Institute. Causality of ADR was assessed by WHO-ADR probability scale, preventability was assessed using Modified Schumock & Thornton scale and severity was assessed using Hartwig and Siegel criteria. Beer’s criterion was used to identify the potentially inappropriate drugs among elderly that caused ADRs. Descriptive statistics was used for analysis.

Results

40.7% of ADRs were observed among patients aged between 31-40 years. Higher frequencies of ADRs were noted among patients diagnosed with depression (34.5%), followed by schizophrenia (28.3%). Central Nervous System (58%) was affected predominantly. Headache (12.3) was the most commonly observed ADR followed by dystonia (11.1%) and drowsiness (9.9%). Patients receiving antidepressants (48%) and antipsychotics (37%) experienced more ADRs. Fluoxetine (17%) accounted for majority of ADRs followed by risperidone (12.3%).  85% of the ADRs were of ‘probable' causality and predominantly predictable (95.1%). 9% of the ADRs were definitely preventable. 44% of ADRs required additional medical treatment. 96.3% of patients recovered completely.

Conclusions

5% of ADRs were severe, no mortality was noted which highlights the appropriate management of ADRs at our centre. Regular intensive monitoring of ADRs in psychiatry outpatient department will help to improve to the quality of care.

Introduction

Glaucoma, “silent thief of sight” is a chronic, progressive optic neuropathy leading to optic nerve damage and visual field loss. Lowering intraocular pressure (IOP) in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is beneficial in reducing the risk for visual field loss in the long term. Various prostaglandin analogues have demonstrated consistent superiority over other therapies in terms of IOP reduction, however superiority amongst them remains inconclusive.

Objectives

To compare efficacy and safety of topical travoprost 0.004% versus latanoprost 0.005% in reducing intraocular pressure in patients with POAG.

Materials and methods

60 newly diagnosed patients of POAG who fulfilled the inclusion /exclusion criteria were randomised into two groups of 30 each to receive either travoprost or latanoprost once daily in the evening. Efficacy was measured in terms of reduction in IOP monitored at 4, 8 and 12 weeks from baseline. Safety was assessed by monitoring treatment emergent adverse drug reactions.

Results

Both travoprost and latanoprost effectively reduced IOP when compared to baseline. Mean IOP reduction from baseline to week 12 was 9.08 ± 1.93 mmHg (p<0.001), 7.96 ± 1.11 mmHg, (p<0.001) in travoprost and latanoprost groups respectively. There was significant reduction in IOP with travoprost when compared to latanoprost (8.86 ± 2.07 vs 7.71 ± 0.92, p=0.0003) at the end of 8 weeks and the same trend continued even at 12 weeks (9.08 ± 1.93 mmHg vs 7.96 ± 1.11 mmHg, p< 0.0002). Adverse drug reactions (ADR) were comparable in both the groups with conjunctival hyperaemia (21.6%) being the most common ADR.

conclusion

Travoprost was found to be more efficacious in reducing IOP as early as 8 weeks as compared to latanoprost. There was an additional 1.12 mmHg reduction in IOP at the end of 12 weeks in comparison to latanoprost and it was well tolerated. Hence travoprost could be a favourable option for the treatment of primary open angle glaucoma.

Keywords: Latanoprost, Travoprost, Primary open angle glaucoma, Intraocular pressure

Aim

To assess the level of knowledge and to explore the association between knowledge and diabetes complications among patient with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

Methods

A cross sectional study was conducted among 428 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending a diabetic clinic at Palakkad district. Subjects of both sex and age group between 18to 80 years, who were capable of understanding and completing questionnaire, were included in the study. Subjects not willing to participate were excluded. DKQ adapted for south Asian population was used to assess the diabetes knowledge. DKQ score was a 24 point scale, participants showing more than 18 points were considered as good knowledge. Association between DKQ and diabetic complications were analyzed.

Results

Among 428 subjects, 4% of the participants had well, (52%) had moderate and (44%) had poor knowledge on diabetes. The mean DKQ score was 13.2± 2.2.  Most of the participants show Microvascular complications (55%), 45% had Macrovasular complications.

Conclusion

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus have limited knowledge, majority of patients have low educational level. Data also show that there is a relationship between knowledge and diabetes complications. Participants with poor knowledge and poor glycemic control are susceptible for developing long term complications.  Improving diabetes knowledge of people with diabetes might allow achieving better glycemic control. Involving a clinical pharmacist with endocrinologist might achieve this objective of improving patient knowledge of diabetes when followed longitudinally.

Maternal hypothyroidism may place the mother at an increased risk of adverse obstetrical outcomes. Untreated hypothyroidism is associated with increased risk for pre-eclampsia, low birth weight, placental abruption, miscarriage, and perinatal mortality.

Aim & Objective

Aim of the study to evaluate hypothyroidism associated with pregnancy person. Methodology: The study was a prospective observational study and was conducted over a period of six months in various hospitals.

Results and Discussion

Out of 109 patients, In age wise distribution, the highest number of patients (44.95%) fell in 22-25 of age range followed by 24.77% in 26-29 years range. 54.12% patients suffer from hypothyroid and 39.44% suffer from anemia most seen in second trimester and also followed by12.84% with hypertension. Prescription pattern among the obstetrics and gynecology patients observed was like Anti-anemic drug 67.88%, Calcium 56.88%, Vitamin supplement 17.43%,  Anti-emetics 15.59%, Anti-fungal 2.7%, Anti-ulcer 1.83%.

Conclusion

Hypothyroid, anemia, hypertension are associated disease in pregnant patients. Second trimester more suffer from hypothyroidism and anemia. Iron, calcium and vitamin supplement were the most frequently prescribed drugs.

Much of the scientific justification for using methadone to treat women with heroin use disorders relies on one heavily cited early review of five studies. The review concluded there were no long-term developmental effects directly associated with prenatal methadone exposure because scores for exposed infants on the Psychomotor Development Index (PDI) of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development fell “well within the normal range of development.”  However, three of the studies reviewed reported significant differences between exposed and control infants on the PDI.  The other two did not report scores on the PDI.  The PDI is a subscale of the Bayley Scales of Infant Development, which was released with a much more extensive normative sample in 1993. Extrapolating PDI scores from the earlier version to the better 1993 version reveals that methadone-exposed infants were not well within the normal range of development. Given the increasingly higher doses of methadone used to treat pregnant opioid-dependent women, we are concerned about the potential for greater adverse effects in the present era.  Beginning with the seminal review, this paper examines subsequent studies for longitudinal outcomes for prenatally exposed infants. We hypothesize that revised BSID-II PDI scores will reveal motor effects for infants born to women with heroin use disorders treated with methadone.