Publication:

Prescribing pattern of antibiotics in ENT outpatient department in a tertiary care teaching hospital

Background Antibiotics are the most commonly used and misused of all drugs. Patterns of antibiotic resistance widely follows local patterns of antibiotic prescribing and usage. Periodic data collection and analysis of antibiotic prescriptions at regional level are essential to understand and combat antibiotic resistance. Objective of the study was to study the prescribing pattern of antibiotics in outpatient department of Otorhinolaryngology in a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Methods A prospective observational study of prescribing pattern of antibiotics was conducted in the department of Otorhinolaryngology. Data of antibiotic utilization in outpatient department was collected through duplicate copies of the prescriptions. The data obtained was analyzed and the conclusions were drawn using descriptive analysis.

Results A total of 606 prescriptions were collected and analyzed during the study. Average number of antibiotics prescribed per prescription was 1.24 most of the antibiotics were prescribed for a duration of 1 to 5 days. Commonly prescribed antibiotic class was penicillin (48.1%) followed by quinolone (18.3%). Most of the antibiotics were prescribed by their brand names (98.8%).

Conclusions The present study highlights the wide use of extended spectrum antibiotics, along with brand names for prescribing. Interventions for prescribing of generic drugs from the essential drug list needs to be encouraged among physicians.