A Prospective study on the Drug prescribing pattern of Antibiotics in the Ears, Nose and Throat department of a Tertiary Care Hospital

Aim and objective: ENT infections are the most commonly occurring problems around the globe and for which antibiotics are prescribed frequently. The aim of the study was to explore the antibiotic prescribing patterns used in the ENT conditions by analyzing the prescriptions. Methods and materials: A prospective study was conducted in 100 patients who visited the in-patient and out- patient of ENT department over a period of six months. Results: Among 100 patients, male predominance was more than females. The highest numbers of patients were from the age group of 18-65 years. Most commonly diagnosed conditions were acute sinusitis, chronic suppurative otitis media, tonsillitis, pharyngitis. Cefuroxime and Amoxicillin/ clavulanate were mostly prescribed among out- patients and Cefotaxim, Gentamicin, Cefuroxime among in- patients. Majority of the out-patient prescription contained single antibiotic, whereas in- patient prescription included the use of single, double and triple antibiotics. Oral agents were predominant in the out-patient prescription, whereas parenteral route was preferred in the in-patients. The WHO/INRUD core prescribing indicators showed relatively higher number of drugs per prescription. Most of drugs were prescribed by its generic name. It also highlighted good adherence to the formulary listed drugs by the physicians. Conclusion: The present study showed good prescribing patterns such as prescribing drugs by their generic name and adherence to formulary. However, there is a need to reduce the act of polypharmacy. The data presented here will be useful in future in promoting rational use of drugs.