Journal of Pharmaceutical Research

J. V. Sathyendra Kasyap ¹, Cuckoo Aiyappa ¹, T. K. Sumathy ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacology & Dermatology, M. S. Ramaiah Medical College & Teaching Hospital, Bangalore - 560 054, IN

Abstract

Topical corticosteroids constitute the most commonly prescribed drugs in the treatment of dermatological conditions. Self medication and erratic use of these agents by patients can increase the risk of developing local and systemic side effects. To find out the trend and outcome of topical corticosteroid usage in a Tertiary Care Hospital a retrospective analysis of the prescriptions in the Department of Dermatology was done for a period of six months. Data on age, sex, diagnosis, steroids and their combinations used, delivery vehicle, potency, frequency of application, duration of treatment and adverse effects were recorded on a pre-designed proforma and analyzed. Mid potency topical steroids were commonly used followed by high, low and very high potency preparations. Age range varied from 5-65 years. Mid and high potency steroids were used in combination with antimicrobials and salicylic acid. Cream based preparations were commonly used and duration of treatment was appropriate and rational. Adverse effects were seen only in four cases and no irrational prescriptions were noted.

Keywords

Prescribing Pattern, Topical Steroids, Rational Use, Outcome.

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D. R. Veena ¹, Cuckoo Aiyappa ¹, H. V. Anuradha ¹, T. K. Sumathy ¹

Affiliations
1 Department of Pharmacology and Dermatology, M S Ramaiah Medical College and Teaching Hospital, Bangalore-560 054, IN

Abstract

Cutaneous eruptions are the most frequently reported adverse reactions to drugs. The pattern of cutaneous adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and the causative drugs keep changing every year.

The study was designed to ascertain the different clinical pattern of cutaneous ADRs and to determine the causative agents. A prospective hospital based study was carried out over a period of one year. The cutaneous ADRs of outpatients in the Department of Dermatology and inpatients transferred from other departments were recorded. Naranjos algorithm was used to determine the causality assessment. A total of 150 patients diagnosed to have cutaneous ADRs were included in the study. The most common type of cutaneous ADRs were maculopapular rash (34.7%), followed by urticaria (12.7%) and acneiform eruptions (10%). Antimicrobial agents (40.7%) were responsible for majority detected adverse drug reactions, followed by nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (18.7%), anticonvulsants (12%) and antihypertensives (10.7%). Altogether 146 reactions had probable and 4 reactions had possible causal association with the drug. A wide clinical spectrum of cutaneous ADRs ranging from mild maculopapular rash to serious Stevens Johnson Syndrome (SJS) and Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis (TEN) were observed. Most of these drug eruptions were caused by antimicrobial agents. The occurence of cutaneous ADRs in the present study was in concurrence to various studies conducted in India.

Keywords

Cutaneous, Adverse Drug Reactions, Drug Eruptions, Maculopapular Rash.

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