Prescription pattern of antimicrobials in tertiary care hospital in central India

Objective: Antimicrobial agents are the greatest contribution to 20th century, which are used for cure and prevention of infections. Widespread use of antimicrobials has facilitated the development of resistance. Aim: the study was to assess the use of antimicrobials in tertiary care hospital in Maharashtra. Method: Prescription audit was done to assess the use of antimicrobials. Total 1942 prescriptions were analyzed for average number of drugs prescribed, antimicrobials prescribed by generic name or brand name, percentage of antibiotics among the prescribed drugs, use of fixed drug combinations, if any. Statistical analysis used: Data was analyzed by percentage. Result: Demographic analysis showed that out of 1942 patients in OPD, most were male (56.38) and in the age group between 35 to 50 years. In 1942 prescription, 30.25% drugs were antimicrobials. Three drugs were prescribed in 52.15% of the prescription, followed by 4 drugs in 19.78% prescriptions. 79.18% prescriptions were prescribed by generic name while 20.82% were prescribed by brand name. 29.18% of drugs were fixed dose combinations of all the antibiotics were prescribed empirically on the basis of provisional diagnosis. Of the total of antibiotics prescribed, amoxicillin was prescribed in 50.66% of patients, followed by cotrimoxazole in 26.05 % patients, cephalexin (8.50%) were used commonly. Conclusion: The rational use of antimicrobial agents is one of the main contributors to control worldwide emergence of antibacterial resistance, side effects and reduced cost of the treatment