Trends in Beta-Blocker Prescribing in a Public Hospital in Al Saih
Nehad J. Ahmed *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Al Kharj, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Aim: This study aimed to describe the trends in beta-blocker prescribing in the outpatient setting of a public hospital in Al Saih.
Methodology: This is a retrospective study that includes patient electronic records revision of outpatients Between 1st July and 31th December 2018.
Results: The most commonly prescribed beta-blocker was bisoprolol (79.10%) followed by metoprolol (7.34%) More than half of the patients were less than 60 years old (52.54%). About 55.93% of the patients receiving beta-blockers were male. About 39.55% of the prescribed drugs were prescribed by cardiology department (39.55%) followed by internal medicine department (36.72%).
Conclusion: It can be concluded that beta-blockers were prescribed commonly. More studies are needed to find the prescribing patterns of beta-blockers for treating different indications and to prepare stratified guidelines to treat cardiovascular patients based on their characteristics.
Keywords: Beta-blocker, outpatient, prescribing, trends.