STUDY ON DRUG UTILIZATION PATTERNS AND ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS (ADRS) SEVERITY ASSOCIATED WITH ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS

Abstract

In clinical practice, antimicrobial agents are among the most frequently used medications, especially in tertiary care hospitals where patients often arrive with complex or severe infectious conditions.This study evaluated the prescribing and utilization patterns of commonly used antimicrobial agents, along with their frequently employed routes of administration.

Aims and objectives :

• To evaluate the prescription pattern of antimicrobial agents among patients in various departments of a tertiary care hospital.


• To evaluate the drug utilization pattern and route of administration of antimicrobial agents, commonly used in tertiary care hospitals


• To evaluate the most common symptoms and organ systems affected by different classes of antimicrobial agents.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 200 patients receiving antimicrobial therapy were enrolled to evaluate associated adverse effects. Each patient was monitored for medical history, medication history, and potential ADRs. The study further examined the distribution of cases, prescribing trends in management of different infections. The study also identified commonly used antimicrobial agents, the types of ADRs they cause, the routes of administration involved, and the organ systems affected across different departments of a tertiary care teaching hospital.

Results:

A total of 460 adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reports were generated from 200 patients, associated with 275 drug prescriptions. β-lactams were most prescribed (37.1%), followed by fluoroquinolones (24.7%), aminoglycosides (16.3%) and macrolides (11.6%). Doxycycline, metronidazole (2.5% each), albendazole (3.2%), vancomycin (1.0%) and antivirals (0.7%) were infrequently used. Antimicrobial drug utilization was most frequent in these clinical conditions. Among 275 prescriptions, respiratory infections accounted for the highest use (25.1%), followed by urinary tract infections (18.9%), skin/soft-tissue infections (17.1%), gastrointestinal infections (15.2%), bloodstream infections (11.2%), and other minor infections (12.3%). Oral antimicrobials were most prescribed (51.28%), while IV agents (35.63%) were mainly used for severe cases; topical formulations (13.09%) were preferred for minor eye, ear, and skin infections. Penicillins caused the highest ADRs (30%), followed by cephalosporins (20%), fluoroquinolones (15%), macrolides (10%), and aminoglycosides (10%); other agents including sulfonamides, linezolid, antifungals, and antivirals together accounted for 15%.

Conclusion:

The study highlights that β-lactams were the most commonly prescribed antimicrobials, particularly for respiratory infections, with oral formulation being the primary route of administration. Penicillins and cephalosporins were the leading contributors to ADRs. These findings emphasize the need for rational antimicrobial use and strengthened pharmacovigilance to minimize adverse outcomes.