Context: Acne vulgaris is the most common chronic inflammatory skin condition which lasts for many years. Treatment and compliance with regimen is an essential element in overall effectiveness of therapy. In Indian market, various brands of drugs are available for the treatment of acne vulgaris. Aim: To evaluate the drug usage pattern in acne vulgaris and also to estimate the cost difference between various brands of drugs available for treatment of acne vulgaris. Settings and Design: Cross-sectional observational study. Material and Methods: Data of 183 acne patients attending skin OPD was collected. Physicians and patients were informed and their written consent was taken. Data collected from the prescriptions included demographic profile of patients, drugs prescribed with their dose, route, frequency and duration, average number of drugs. Cost variation amongst the different drugs available for treatment of acne vulgaris was also calculated. Results were expressed in percentage or frequencies. Statistical analysis used: NIL. Results: Dermatologists had prescribed retinoids both topically and orally in 30% subjects. Azithromycin was the most frequently and initially prescribed systemic antimicrobial. The maximum cost variation was seen with Hydroxyzine (1130.76%) followed by Doxycycline (458.33%). Conclusions: Prescriptions for acne vulgaris were seen to be according to the guidelines and there was wide per day cost variation in the treatment given to these patients who ranged from Rs. 15.50 to Rs. 155.70/-.
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