UNDERSTANDING PRESCRIPTION TRENDS OF METFORMIN FORMULATIONS IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MANAGEMENT AT A CLINICAL TEACHING FACILITY

Abstract

Establishing the Scene: Medications are necessary for the long-term control of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), a metabolic condition. Whether used alone or in conjunction with other antidiabetic medications, metformin continues to serve as the foundation of treatment for type 2 diabetes. In order to optimise patient care and evaluate the logic of medication usage, it is helpful to understand the prescription patterns of Metformin and its formulations. Patient adherence to different Metformin formulations and combination therapy for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) at a tertiary care teaching hospital will be assessed in this research. The researchers used a tertiary teaching hospital's outpatient department to administer a prospective observational study over a set length of time. Metformin formulation (immediaterelease vs. extended-release), dosing patterns, patient demographics, and whether the patient was receiving monotherapy or combo medication were among the data points culled from T2DM prescriptions. The majority of prescriptions were for combination treatment, with sulfonylureas and DPP-4 inhibitors being the most common medications combined with Metformin. Patients who had gastrointestinal side effects were advised to use extended-release Metformin. Prescribers significantly adhered to clinical recommendations, and there were age-related patterns in formulation choice, according to the research. Using Metformin and its formulations rationally in combination treatment is strongly preferred for the management of type 2 diabetes, according to the data. Ensuring evidence-based and patient-centered diabetic treatment requires continuous monitoring of prescription patterns. Findings from this research highlight the value of local medication utilisation reviews in improving treatment efficacy while reducing side effects.