A study on prescription analysis and utilization of antibiotics in geriatric in-patients admitted in Shimoga institute of medical sciences tertiary care hospital, Shimoga, Karnataka, India

Authors

  • Nagaraja Prasad S. Assistant professor,Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences Shimoga -577201, Karnataka, India
  • Shreenivas Revankar Associate professor,Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences Shimoga -577201, Karnataka, India
  • Vedavathi H. Professor and HOD,Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences Shimoga -577201, Karnataka, India
  • Chidanand KN Post graduates, Department of Pharmacology, Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences Shimoga -577201, Karnataka, India
  • Jean L. Murray Post graduates, Department of Pharmacology, Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences Shimoga -577201, Karnataka, India
  • Harini Manjunath Post graduates, Department of Pharmacology, Shimoga Institute of Medical Sciences Shimoga -577201, Karnataka,India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20161543

Keywords:

Prescription, Geriatric, Antibiotics, EDL, Rational prescribing

Abstract

Background: Geriatrics is concerned with population aged 60 and above. Elderly suffer from various problems of the old age and hence prone to suffer from various adverse effects due to multiple drug use. In this regard rational use of drugs assumes importance. Hence the present study was conducted to study the rationality of prescriptions and utilization of antibiotics in the geriatric age group.

Methods: 126 inpatient prescriptions were chosen and analysed for their rationality according to WHO core drug use indicators. The prescriptions were chosen randomly during the months of July to November 2013 from inpatients at district Mcgann teaching hospital. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse data.

Results: 97% of total drugs prescribed were from essential drug list (EDL). Cephalosporins were the most commonly prescribed group of antibiotics. Respiratory diseases were the maximum cause of admission to the hospital followed by cardiovascular diseases. Prescription by brand name was 57.93% while generic drug prescription was 40.65% of total drugs prescribed. 7.81% of total drugs were prescribed as fixed drug combination average of 6.25 drugs were prescribed per person and 1.39% of prescriptions were illegible.

Conclusions: Most of drugs prescribed were from WHO model list of essential drugs which conforms to WHO rational drug use. Also prescription by generic name has to be emphasized to promote rationality of prescriptions. Antibiotic prescriptions should be preceded by microbiological testing wherever indicated and illegible prescriptions should be prevented at all costs. Adherence to guidelines regarding drug use in the elderly can help in rational drug use in elderly.

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Published

2016-12-30

How to Cite

S., N. P., Revankar, S., H., V., KN, C., Murray, J. L., & Manjunath, H. (2016). A study on prescription analysis and utilization of antibiotics in geriatric in-patients admitted in Shimoga institute of medical sciences tertiary care hospital, Shimoga, Karnataka, India. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 5(3), 904–909. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20161543

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Original Research Articles