Drug Utilization Pattern of Cephalosporins in In-Patient Departments of Tertiary Care Hospital

Antimicrobial resistance is one of the major threats to global health. It occurs due to widespread use of board spectrum antibiotics empirically. Drug utilization review is performed to assess the use of antibiotics which emphasis on improvement of drug use and provides better patient care. Hence the present study was carried to perform drug utilization of Cephalosporins in various department of Sagar hospitals, Bengaluru. A prospective, cross-sectional and observational study was carried in various in-patient departments. A total of 171 antibiotics prescribed, Cephalosporins contributed for 46.7%. Among Cephalosporins third generation Cephalosporins (83.75%) are predominately used followed by second generation Cephalosporins (15%). Ceftriaxone (42.5%) found to be highly prescribed Cephalosporins. Drugs were mostly prescribed as monotherapy as parenteral dosage forms. Cefoperazone+Sulbactam (22.5%) was the only fixed dose combination (FDC) prescribed. It was observed that Cephalosporins were highly used in general surgery (31%) followed by general medicine (26%), pulmonology (15%) and urology (12%). Irrational use of antibiotics can lead to emergence of resistance; thus, this study gives insight into a drug utilization of Cephalosporins which will promote rational use of drugs.