Old versus new antihistamines: Effects on cognition and psychomotor functions.

Context: Antihistamines (AHs) are the most widely long-term therapeutic option to manage allergic diseases. This research aimed to study the effects of long-term administration of AHs: on cognitive (memory, mood, attention, sleep and executive function) and psychomotor performance.

Materials And Methods: This prospective, observational study for a total duration of 30 months was carried out at the Dermatology OPD in adult patients with dermatological condition who were newly prescribed either chlorpheniramine (4 mg, BD), levocetirizine (10 mg, OD), fexofenadine (180 mg, OD) or bepotastine (10 mg, BD) for at least 28 days as per inclusion and exclusion criteria after taking written informed consent.

An analysis of the use of antimicrobial agents in outdoor patients of ophthalmology.

Objectives: The study was aimed to analyze commonly used antimicrobials in outdoor patients of ophthalmology department.

Materials And Methods: The study was an observational, cross-sectional study carried out in the Department of Pharmacology and Ophthalmology after approval from the head of departments and Institutional Ethics Committee. All the patients age 18 years and above who were prescribed antimicrobials and gave consent were included in study.

A study of medication errors in a tertiary care hospital.

Objective: To determine the nature and types of medication errors (MEs), to evaluate occurrence of drug-drug interactions (DDIs), and assess rationality of prescription orders in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Materials And Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted in General Medicine and Pediatric ward of Civil Hospital, Ahmedabad during October 2012 to January 2014. MEs were categorized as prescription error, dispensing error, and administration error (AE).

A study of utilization of antimicrobial agents in patients on ventilator in intensive care unit (ICU) at tertiary care teaching hospital, India.

Objective: To study the use of antimicrobial agents in patients on ventilator in ICU.

Materials And Methods: Study was conducted at tertiary care teaching hospital Ahmedabad, India. Total 300 patients admitted in ICU and prescribed antimicrobial agents were included in the study.

A study of use of fixed dose combinations in Ahmedabad, India.

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the pattern of fixed dose combinations (FDCs) in Ahmedabad, a city in western part of India.

Materials And Methods: Over a period of 24 months, prescriptions were collected from 24 pharmacy stores across 6 zones of Ahmedabad city. The information was recorded in pre-formed Data Record Form after written consent from the patients (or relative (s) of the patients).

An evaluation of knowledge, attitude and practices about prescribing fixed dose combinations among resident doctors.

Background: Fixed Dose Combinations (FDCs) improve patient compliance and decrease pill burden. However, irrational prescribing of FDCs is a major health concern. As resident doctors are primarily involved in patient management at tertiary care hospitals, knowledge about prescribing FDCs is of paramount importance.