Research Article ISSN: 2349-2678 Contents lists available at www.ijpba.in International Journal of Pharmaceutical and Biological Science Archive NLM (National Library of Medicine ID: 101738825) Index Copernicus Value 2019: 71.05 Volume 9 Issue 1; January-February; 2021; Page No. 23-41 23 | Page A STUDY ON CLINICAL PATTERN OF ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS TO THE DRUGS USED FOR HYPERTENSION AND ASSESMENT OF MEDICATION KNOWLEDGE IN SUCH PATIENTS. Vandana Sharma 1 *, Dr. Hetal Solanki 1 , Narendra Kumar 2 , Bhairvi Kumari 2 1 Shivam Pharmaceutical Studies and Research Centre, Valasan, Gujrat 2 Arya College of Pharmacy, Jaipur Conflicts of Interest: Nil Corresponding author: Vandana Sharma DOI https://doi.org/10.32553/ijpba.v9i1.174 ABSTRACT The aim of the present study was to monitor adverse drug reactions associated with antihypertensive drugs. due to its high prevalence, Hypertension is a major health problem throughout the world and very less studies has been aimed at assessing the patient’s knowledge and awareness about hypertension and adherence to antihypertensive medication among hypertensive patients .Hypertension is a major health problem and risk factor for stroke, coronary heart diseases and antihypertensive treatment is used to reduce renal and cardiovascular diseases by lowering blood pressure. Occurrence of adverse reactions among hypertensive patients could prevent or delay patients from achieving desired therapeutic goals. The study was conducted by one to one patient interview using a questionnaire-based medication knowledge form, Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Form drafted according to the World Health Organisation Monitoring Guidelines. A total of 86 adverse drug reactions were observed in 127 hypertensive patients during the 6 month study. In this study the ADRs were found probable (51.16%), possible (32.56%), unclassifiable (11.63%) and unlikely (4.65%) by using WHO causality assessment scale. By using Naranjo algorithm scale it was found that ADRs were possible in 77.91% and probable in 22.09% of cases. This study also found that amlodipine was responsible for most of the ADRs and among the entire ADRs reported headache was the commonest followed by dizziness, pedal oedema, fatigue, abdominal pain, dry cough, breathlessness, bradycardia, muscle cramps, sedation, diarrhoea and irritation all over thebody. After counseling by clinical pharmacist medication knowledge was found to be increased. Keywords: Adverse drug reaction, medication knowledge, hypertension INTRODUCTION Hypertension is defined as systolic blood pressure of ≥ 140 mm Hg and diastolic blood pressure of ≥ 90 mm Hg, though the risk appears to increase even with blood pressure above 120/80 mm Hg. Hypertension or high blood pressure is a major public health problem due to increased morbidity, mortality It is an iceberg condition and the prevalence of hypertension has been considered as an increasing “silent killer” problem. Reasons for this growing trend is due to the unhealthy lifestyle practices, lack of awareness, distorted public health system, physicians not following the standard guidelines in treating hypertension and non- compliance to hypertension therapy. Keeping the blood pressure at an optimum level helps to prevent cardiovascular complications like stroke, myocardial infarction (MI), renal failure and mortality; this has been confirmed in epidemiological and interventional studies. (1,2) In developed countries, diastolic pressure is more than 90 mm Hg in about 25% adults; this prevalence is almost same in developing countries. where it is seen in 10% to 20% adults. Hypertension accounts for 20-50% of all deaths.Hypertension is present in all populations and it steadily increases during the first two decades of life. With advancing age, the prevalence of hypertension also increases.Systolic blood pressure is higher for adult males than females, but in older individuals, the age related rate rise is steeper for females. A middle aged or elderly individual has 90% chance of developing hypertension in his or her lifetime. Both genetic and environmental factors play a major role to produce regional and racial changes in blood pressure and prevalence of hypertension.In India the prevalence of hypertension was 35 in males and 36 in females per 1000 in rural population and 60 in males and 70 in females per 1000 in the urban population (3,4,5) .