Study to analyse prescription pattern of antihypertensive drugs used in preeclampsia patients at a secondary care hospital: A Prospective observational study

Hypertension is one of the common medical complications of pregnancy and contributes significantly to maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality. Once the hypertension is diagnosed starting with antihypertensive therapy help to manage the outcomes of pregnancy, for both mother and baby. The main objective of the study is to assess prescribing patterns of antihypertensive drugs in pregnant women. It was a prospective observational study that was conducted for 4 months from November 2021 to February 2022. A total of 120 prescriptions were analyzed. Through the current study, we could assess the utilization of antihypertensive drugs in pregnant women. The study reveals that most of the patients having PIH were from Primi gravida in the age group 25-28 years old. The study also shows that Labetalol an alpha-beta blocker is mostly prescribed as monotherapy followed by Nifedipine a calcium channel blocker, or a combination of Labetalol with Nifedipine. Also according to the study, 12% of patients showed co-morbidities and the other 88% were without co-morbidities. Other than antihypertensive prescribed to maximum patients were a combination of several supplements that are protein powders, iron-calcium supplements (Protex powder, Anaport powder, LG-9 sachet, bio folate, calcium supplements, Hbcare, cc250, RG-9 sachet). The current study assessed that most of the patients showed mild to moderate preeclampsia that is blood pressure between 140-160 mmHg. It will help the prescriber to pay more attention to the outcomes of B.P. during pregnancy. If PIH can be treated rationally the complication of pregnancy that affect the mother and baby can be overcome and there would be a significant reduction in maternal and perinatal morbidity and mortality.