Abstract

To assess prescription pattern of antiviral drugs in a tertiary care hospital. Material and Methods: One hundred thirty patients of either gender in a tertiary care hospital was recorded. The patients included in the study were receiving active treatment for chronic hepatitis B infection with any antiviral therapy as monotherapy or combination therapy. Active treatment was defined as antiviral medication prescribed at least once in the 6 months before the start of the study. Parameters such as disease characteristics such as HBeAg status and history of liver transplant and antiviral treatment was recorded. Results: Out of 130 patients, males were 80 (61.5%) and females were 50 (38.5%). Liver transplant was done in 11 and unknown in 29 cases. HBeAg status was positive in 34, negative in 56 and unknown in 40 cases. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Anti- viral drugs prescribed were Entecavir in 24%, Lamivudine in 16%, Adefovir dipivoxil in 14%, Tenofovir in 12%, Telbivudine in 10%, Entecavir+ tenofovir in 16%, Lamivudine+ entecavir in 10% and Pegylated interferon α-2a in 8%. The difference was non- significant (P> 0.05). Type of therapy was monotherapy in 87% and combination therapy in 13%. The difference was significant (P< 0.05). Conclusion: Most commonly prescribed antiviral drugs was Entecavir, Lamivudine, Adefovir dipivoxil, Tenofovir, Telbivudine, Entecavir+ tenofovir, Lamivudine+ entecavir and Pegylated interferon α-2a. Monotherapy was used in maximum cases.

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