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ISSN 2063-5346
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Utilization patterns of CNS drugs in a multi health specialty hospital in Jeddah: A retrospective observational study

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Jafar Hulayyil H Alharbi , Akondi Butchi Raju , Mohanad Alqahtani , Abdalelah Alharbi , Abdulmajeed Almutairi
» doi: 10.31838/ecb/2023.12.si6.359

Abstract

Drugs play an essential role in preventing, maintaining, and restoring health. However, many medications affect the central nervous system (CNS) due to the potential abuse of the drugs and possible drug addiction. Materials and methods: A retrospective observational study was performed to investigate CNS drug prescriptions, identifying their utilization patterns and the prevalence of their potential abuse, in addition to their impact among citizens in Jeddah. Electronic health records data from January 2016 to March 2022 were evaluated to analyze the trends of overuse, wrong usage, and refilling without a proper justification in a multi-health specialty hospital. All the data was collected using a Microsoft Excel sheet, and the chi-square test was used for statistical analysis using the SPSS software. Result: A convenience sample of 12687 patients with one or more CNS drugs prescribed for their ailments was selected. The results showed that the most used drug throughout the duration between January 2016 and March 2022 was phenytoin (100 mg) followed by Carbamazepine (200 mg) then followed by Tramadol 50 mg then Carbamazepine 400 mg with greater consumption was by males for all drugs except for Carbamazepine 400 mg. Less consumption was for Clonazepam 2 mg and Lorazepam 1mg and the least prescribed drug was Carbamazepine 100 mg/5ml Syrup throughout the whole investigated period. Conclusion: The overall consumption patterns from 2016 till 2022, showed greater use of CNS drugs among both genders. Thus, it is recommended that psychiatrists should have controlled prescriptions to reduce the likelihood of dependence on the drugs.

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