Indian Journal of Pharmacy and Pharmacology

114-119

Authors: Abhijith Rao, Sharath Kumar K, Mohandas Rai.

Introduction & Objectives: Heart failure (HF) is a common cardiovascular condition with increasing incidence and prevalence and many drugs are used especially in combination to treat this condition. Our objective of the study was to study drug prescribing pattern in patients with heart failure. Materials and Method: The data was collected retrospectively and recorded in a preformed proforma obtained from Medical Records Department, A.J. Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Mangalore, Karnataka, India of patients admitted for congestive heart failure during the period of 2 years from January 2013 - December 2014. Results: Our study reveals about 871 drugs were prescribed for 100 patients who are included in the study 715 (82%) received the drug by oral route, 104 (11.9%) by parenteral route and 52 (5.9 %) drugs by inhalational route. The drugs prescribed were Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (13%), Diuretics (92%), Beta blockers (37%), Hypolipidemic agents (34%), Bronchodilators (56%), Sympathomimetics (75%), Antiplatelets (63%), Anticoagulant (11%), Antiulcer drugs (72%) and Positive inotropic drug (70%) and Antimicrobial drugs (99%). Out of the 871 drugs prescribed only 15.95% (139) of the drugs were prescribed by generic names and rest of 732 (84.05%) were prescribed by brand names. About 627 (71.98%) of the total drugs prescribed were from the essential drugs list. Interpretation & Conclusions: We try to conclude that polytherapy is the better than monotherapy in patients with CCF. Prescription of generic drugs reduces the patients’ burden making it more affordable and also the chance of survival for long time depends on absence or presence of co-morbidities.

125-129

Authors: Priyadarshini M. Deodurg, Harish G. Bagewadi, B.V. Patil, Asha P. Dass.

Aim of the study: The present Study was performed to know the awareness of clinical trials and to assess the effectiveness of an educational intervention. Materials and Method: This was a questionnaire-based pre- and post-test educational interventional study. Handouts which contain information about clinical trials were given one week before the study. A pre-validated 20-point questionnaire comprising of Knowledge, attitude, perceptions about clinical trials was given to 3rd term medical students (n=115). With the help of Power point presentation the educational intervention was done. For statistical calculation, chi-square test and unpaired paired t-test were performed. Results: are tabulated as percentages, Mean±SD. The scores pertaining to knowledge, attitude and perceptions of clinical trials were found to be statistically significant (P<0.001) when before (pre-KAP) and after (post-KAP) the educational intervention, was assessed. Conclusion: The feedback from the students was encouraging, handouts supplied before the class made them to understand the subject better during lectures.

134-137

Authors: Saraswati Prasad Mishra, Suruchi Samparna Acharya, Pankaj Kashyap, Deepak Kumar Dash, Koushlesh Mish.

Generally there is higher prevalence of co-morbidity of diabetes and hypertension. Mortality increases more than 7 times when patient is having diabetes along with hypertension. In India 6.4% to 55% prevalence of hypertension among diabetes (Type 2) patients was found. Vildagliptin is an oral anti hyperglycemic agent of new class dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4) inhibitor. Nifedipine is an antihypertensive drug that comes under the class of calcium channel blockers. The present study is to find out the effect of co administration of Nifedipine and Vildagliptin on cardioprotective and antihyperglycemic activity in adrenaline induced hyperglycemic rats. In acute and chronic condition study glucose level and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) estimation in blood was done with the help of Glucometer and Lactate dehydrogenase assay kit respectively. Albino Rats heart muscles were subjected to histopathological examination. After co-administration of drugs initial glucose level (142.77 ± 12.9 mg/dl) and final blood glucose level (135.1 ± 48.7 mg/dl) in acute condition and initial glucose level (160.2 ± 9.3 mg/dl) and final blood glucose level (154.6 ±14.8 mg/dl) in chronic condition were found. In chronic condition initial LDH level (455.9 ±17.1 IU/L) and final LDH level (236 ±24.1 IU/L) in blood were found. In microscopic examination of endocardium layer of adrenaline induced hyperglycemic rats treated with co-administration of drugs necrosis was not found, it confirms their cardioprotective activity. On the basis of study conclusion was that when co-administration of Nifedipine and Vildagliptin, nifedipine significantly reducing the antihyperglycemic activity but it has no markedly effect on cardioprotective activity.

143-146

Authors: Mohini S. Mahatme, Vartika Gupta, Mukunda B. Bargade, Sachin K. Hiware.

Introduction: Package inserts (PI) are the required informational leaflets which come along with drug package containing all the necessary and relevant information about the drug. It helps in providing appropriate guidance to doctors, paramedical staff and patients according to their needs. The study was planned to analyze the knowledge, attitude and practice behavior of all stakeholders and find out the deficit in current PI and targets of improvement in PI, for overall benefit of society. Materials and Method: A questionnaire based study was undertaken in 103 doctors, 108 paramedics (nurses and pharmacists) and 102 patients coming to the outpatient departments of the hospital. Results: Knowledge of package inserts and their importance is well known among doctors (88.35%) and paramedics (81.48%) in contrast to patients (39.22%). Doctors are the maximum users of the internet for seeking new information. Doctors (78.25%) followed by paramedics (50.93%) felt PI should be mandatory compared to patients (15.69%). Suggestions regarding improving contents of package inserts were language modifications i.e. including local language which was advocated by patients mostly, increased font size and pictorial representation where ever possible (administration instructions and storage). Other suggestions from paramedics were information about packaging and storage, regular updating of PI. Conclusions: Though mandatory, PI is largely ignored by both manufacturers and stakeholders. If utilized properly it can be an effective tool in educating everyone regarding dos - don’t and necessary information of the drugs thus aiding in avoiding adverse effects and promoting correct utilization of medicines

153-160

Authors: R.R. Somani, Devendra Madan, Pratik Barve, Rewa Badve.

Chalcones are α,β-unsaturated ketone compounds, constituting an important class of natural products belonging to the flavonoid family. They have been reported to possess a wide spectrum of biological activities, including anti-bacterial, anti-inflammatory, anti- tumor, anti-malarial, anti-fungal and anti-viral etc. Thus, synthesis of Chalcones has generated great interest among organic as well as medicinal chemists. This synthesis can be achieved by conventional methods or by Greener methods, like Microwave assisted organic synthesis (MAOS). Advantages of microwave synthesis over conventional synthesis include energy efficient reactions, less consumption of time to complete the reaction and improved yields. The conventional technique for any organic synthesis suffers from several pitfalls such as utilization of more time, energy and efforts, wastage of solvents and reactants and compromised yields. These inconsistencies can be overcome by the use of optimization techniques. Optimization techniques require lesser experiments to achieve an optimum result, yields “best” solution in presence of competing objectives, makes problem tracing and rectification quite easy. Optimization techniques encompass experimental design, mathematical models and graphical outcomes. With this background, in present work, eight Chalcones were synthesized using Microwaves. The synthetic procedure was optimized using 32 Factorial design as the statistical technique. Yield and time required to complete reaction were considered as response factors. The validation of optimized solutions was also performed.