Study of Drug Utilization Pattern of Cephalosporins in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Background: Cephalosporins are categories of broad-spectrum antibiotic that has been incorporated in clinical practice in the management of bacterial infections. Therefore, correct usage of cephalosporin antibiotics is effective for obtaining the maximum therapeutic effect and preventing bacteria resistance. This paper assesses the trend of cephalosporin utilization in a third level hospital. Objective: To identify and compare the most frequently used cephalosporin antibiotics in a large volume teaching hospital. In this study, the authors’ intention was to determine the relationship between cephalosporin prescription and the age, gender, and comorbidity of patients. Methods: This was carried out with data obtained from medical records of patients at a tertiary care hospital using data from the hospital’s pharmacy. A retrospective prescription audit of cephalosporin antibiotics was conducted for a 24-month period for drug name, dosing, course days and patient demographics. Results: A total of 400 prescriptions were analysed . Cephalosporin prescribing preferences remained fairly constant Ceftriaxone accounted for 45% of prescribed cephalosporins, cefuroxime 30% and cefepime 15%. Majority of those prescriptions were meant for respiratory and urinary tract infection patients, and for severe infections, ceftriaxone was typically prescribed. Hypoglycemia was seen in 5 % of the cases, more frequently in patients who received higher doses or combination therapy and those with co morbid conditions like diabetes and hypertension. Conclusion: Neither do the results point out the lack of use of any particular type of antibiotic like cephalosporins; in fact the study found that ceftriaxone was frequently prescribed in treating infective diseases in a tertiary care setting, thus implying that the use of any particular type of antibiotics is in compliance with the laid down clinical protocols. But sustained awareness creation on the use of antimicrobial is important on curbing resistance.