Age-Related Prescribing Patterns of Antihypertensive Medications
Nehad J. Ahmed *
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
Menshawy A. Menshawy
Department of Medicinal Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
Ziyad S. Almalki
Department of Clinical Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Prince Sattam Bin Abdulaziz University, Alkharj, Saudi Arabia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Introduction: Hypertension is the most common modifiable risk factor for cardiovascular diseases, renal failure, and stroke. Previous studies showed that prescription patterns of antihypertensive drugs varied by gender.
Aim: This is a retrospective study that was conducted to describe the difference in prescribing antihypertensive drugs according to patients’ age.
Methodology: In this study, the electronic prescriptions of hypertensive patients that were dispensed from the outpatient pharmacy of a public hospital in Alkharj were revised.
Results: Generally, older patients are using antihypertensive drugs more than younger adults and their usage pattern of antihypertensive drugs is different according to age.
Conclusion: It is important to know the age-related prescribing patterns of antihypertensive drugs and to know the efficacy and safety of these agents in different patients in order to develop an evidence-based and age-appropriate antihypertensive pharmacotherapy.
Keywords: Age-related, antihypertensive, prescribing, pattern., Nehad J. Ahmed