Prospective Observational Study on Prescribing Pattern of Antifungal Drugs in the 400 Out-Patient Department of Dermatology in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Introduction: Fungal infections have been a serious disease over a few decades. Superficial fungal infections not only cause life-threatening illnesses but slowly reduce the Quality of life of patients. Objective: To study the prescribing pattern of antifungal drugs, distribution of fungal disease, and cost variability between different antifungal drugs prescribed. Materials and methods: Prospective observational study was carried out at Justice K.S. Hegde Charitable Hospital from August 2018 to April 2019. Outpatient departments patient satisfying the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Factors like age, gender, diagnosis, and type of prescribed antifungal drugs along with Price variability among different brands of the drug were considered. Antifungal drug prescriptions of patients were analyzed. Results: More than 50% of the patients were from age 21-40 yrs. Males (51.8%) were more than females (48%). The majority of the drugs prescribed were topically (64%). Tine a corpor is was the most prevalent fungal disease. The Azoles group of Antifungal was most prescribed. And the percentage variability between different brands was high. Conclusion: The study concluded the extensive use of antifungal agents. The highly prescribed drug was found to be luliconazole. The study also concluded that the use of generic prescriptions might reduce the cost of illness and enhance the rational use of the drug.

A clinicoepidemiological study on tinea incognita with assessment of its treatment strategies and drug prescribing practices in a tertiary care hospital

“…33 Itraconazole and terbinafine are the recommended antifungal agents to be used as first-line treatment options for systemic therapy. 8 Commonly prescribed oral AFs were itraconazole capsules (41%) followed by terbinafine tablets (11%) which is in accordance with a similar study by Chandrajeet et al, 31 and Naaz et al 34 The topical AFs were ketoconazole cream (19%) followed by luliconazole (11%) which is similar to Chandrajeet et al's 31 findings of 19.65% and Naaz et al 34 reported luliconazole (34%) followed by ketoconazole (30%). The prescriptions were analysed for co-prescribed antihistamines and found that CPM tablets (68%) were highly prescribed followed by hydroxyzine Hcl (25%).…”

“…These findings were slightly contradictory to findings by Chandrajeet et al 31 who reported levocetirizine (13.99%) followed by hydroxyzine Hcl (12.42%). A study by Naaz et al 34 showed that levocetirizine (37.3%), hydroxyzine (10%) followed by CPM (4.8%). The high usage of CPM might be attributed to its free availability in the hospital‐free pharmacy.…”

Drug utilization pattern evaluation and cost variation analysis of anti-fungal agents in tinea infected patients in dermatology department of a tertiary care teaching hospital

“…18 And among the topical anti-fungals, luliconazole cream (175.6%) showed the maximum cost variability in our study, this was also contradictory to the study done by author Naaz et al where ketoconazole cream showed the maximum cost of variation. 19…”

Prescribing Pattern of Antifungal Drugs in a Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital in Western India

“…Therefore, appropriate antifungal drugs are very important to treat the condition and prevent the complications of fungal infections. 5 Vast varieties of systemic and topical antifungal drugs are available in the market. Amphotericin B, fluconazole, itraconazole, capsofungin, griseofulvin and terbinafine are commonly used systemic antifungal drugs in India.…”

“…7 Among these antifungal drugs are most commonly prescribed in dermatological conditions as combination therapy of systemic and topical antifungal agents. 5 Antifungal drugs are available in various dosage forms like tablets, capsules, injections, creams, lotions, powder, shampoo, ear drops, etc. 1 Fixed-Dose Combinations of antifungal drugs with antimicrobials, corticosteroids, and local anesthetic drugs are also prescribed in some conditions.…”