Prescribing Patterns of Isosorbide Dinitrate in Outpatient Department of a Public Hospital

Objective: The aim of this study was to describe the prescribing pattern of isosorbide dinitrate in outpatient department.

Methods: The study was carried out at outpatient department in Alkharj. The collected data included personal data, dosage forms of the prescribed isosorbide dinitrate, the prescribing departments and the level of the prescribers.

Results: Isosorbide dinitrate was prescribed to 57 patients in the outpatient department; about 61.4% of them aged more than 59. About 80.7% of patients received isosorbide dinitrate tablets and 19.3% of them received sublingual tablets. Most of the prescriptions were prescribed by cardiology department (56.14%) followed by Internal Medicine department (26.32%).

Conclusion: Isosorbide dinitrate prescribing was uncommon in the outpatient setting but it can cause several side effects and drug interactions, besides some patients are allergic to it. So the doctor should judge that the benefit to the patient is greater than the risk of side effects.