Pattern of anti diabetic drug prescription at a health facility in Jos north central Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a disorder that can be managed with oral or parenteral medications. Oral agents are of different classes while insulin is the commonest parenteral agent. The choice of drug regimen is influenced by a variety of factors. This study aims to describe the pattern of anti diabetic drug prescription at a private health facility in North Central Nigeria.
Methodology: this was a retrospective study in which the records of 120 patients with Type 2 diabetes visiting the facility were reviewed and analyzed
Results: 64.2% of the study population were males. The mean ages for males and females were 54.2+/-8.4 and 54.3+/-10.4 years respectively with no significant difference. Majority of subjects (75%) were receiving polytherapy, the commonest combination being biguanide + sulphonylurea. Only 2.5% were receiving insulin alone.
Conclusion: Anti diabetic treatment regimen should be guided by laid down guidelines and recommendations. It should also be individualized, as no two persons with Type 2 diabetes are exactly the same.

Keywords: Diabetes, Biguanide, Sulphonylurea, Thiazolidenedione