Auditing of prescriptions in relation to diarrhea in children below 5 years of age: a multicenter study
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20151360Keywords:
Drug utilization, Pediatric drug prescribing, diarrheaAbstract
Background: This study was planned to determine the prescribing pattern of drugs in children below 5 years of age suffering from diarrhea by different categories of doctors in the city of Jaipur (Rajasthan).
Methods: This observational retrospective study was conducted in the Pediatric Outpatient Department of SMS Medical College and other hospitals in Jaipur (Rajasthan). In this study, 300 prescription (10% of total prescription) of the children aged below 5 years, suffering from acute diarrhea, were randomly selected.
Results: As alone, norfloxacin was noted in 49.2% prescriptions followed by ofloxacin in 24.6% out of 61 prescriptions. In combination, the most common antimicrobial (77.78%) prescribed was norfloxacin with either metronidazole or tinidazole.
Conclusions: Antimicrobials should be prescribed rationally for pediatric patients suffering from diarrhea to avoid potential adverse events and increased cost of the treatment . Regular prescription audits in hospitals should be undertaken to promote rational use of drugs.
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